Top Japanese Golfers Take on U.S. Tour, Sparking Global Recognition and Talent Drain Concerns at Home

Japanese golfers are making remarkable progress on the U.S. Tour. Many have announced their intention to challenge the U.S. Tour next season, and there is a growing possibility that Japanese golfers will be competing against each other on the world’s most prestigious stage in the near future. Sportswriter Kim Myeong-soo looks at the latest developments based on his interviews with top professionals.

A number of Japanese players have announced their participation in December’s final qualifying tournament for spots on next season’s U.S. golf tour. These include Miyu Yamashita (23), the two-time reigning season queen; Reo Takeda (21), who currently leads both the points and prize money rankings with seven wins this season; and the twin sisters Akie and Chisato Iwai (both 22). These top four players from the domestic tour have all decided to pursue a move to the U.S. tour.

Additionally, Saki Baba (19), who was unable to secure a U.S. tour card through this season’s lower-tier U.S. tour rankings, and Yuri Yoshida (24), who fought hard in her first year on the U.S. tour but is in a tough position to retain her status, will also compete in the final qualifiers. Erika Hara (25) and Sora Kamiya (21) are also set to participate in the second stage of U.S. tour qualifiers from November 22 to 25.

Should these players earn their tour cards, it would not be an exaggeration to say the U.S. tour next season could be flooded with Japanese players. Currently, Japanese members of the U.S. tour include Nasa Hataoka, Hinako Shibuno, Yuka Saso, Ayaka Furue, Mao Saigo, Yuna Nishimura, Minami Katsu, and Mone Inami. If the players entering through the qualifiers succeed, around 15 Japanese players could be competing in the U.S.

 

Former World No. 1 analyzes, “There will be a Japanese winner on the U.S. Tour.”

Japanese women’s golf seems to be gaining momentum similar to that of South Korean women’s golf, which has dominated the world rankings for a long time. In the U.S. Women’s Open, considered the pinnacle of women’s golf, 10 South Korean players have won the title, beginning with South Korean legend Se Ri Pak (47), who claimed victory in 1998. Many have also reached world No. 1. Although Japan has not yet reached that level of success, there is a high possibility that a similar situation will develop in the future.

When asked about the recent successes of Japanese players on the U.S. tour and their announcements to participate in qualifying tournaments, Shin Ji-yai (36), a former world No. 1 and the 2009 U.S. tour money leader, commented:

“This year, Japanese players won two major overseas titles (Yuka Saso at the U.S. Women’s Open and Ayaka Furue at the Amundi Evian Championship), and Mao Saigo, in her first year on the U.S. tour, is leading the Rookie of the Year race. The results prove the skill of Japanese players. More players are now stepping up with a strong desire to challenge themselves, even when faced with obstacles, which is inspiring. I believe we’ll see many Japanese players winning on the U.S. tour in the future and winning more frequently.”