<figure id="attachment_407109" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-407109" style="width: 1372px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="86d88b5d"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/01/efbf0b6c5a3cb9d498546a4b766de1a7.png" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-407109" class="wp-caption-text">Masada has attracted attention on the domestic tour and has quickly become one of the most popular professionals in Japan. Her gorgeous play and smile have captivated many fans.</figcaption></figure>
<p> The domestic women&#8217;s golf tour ended the 2012 season with Reo Takeda (21), who won eight tournaments during the year, as the Queen of the Year. In addition, Yuri Yoshida (24), Mimu Yamashita (23), Akeia Iwai (22), Chirei Iwai (22), and Sakiki Baba (19) all qualified for the final round of the U.S. Women&#8217;s Tour in December, making it a year that was not short of topics.</p>
<p> Following in the footsteps of these &#8220;heroines&#8221; is 24-year-old Yumeno Masada from Hokkaido, who will be entering her second year as a professional player in 2013. She passed the pro test in 2011, and in her rookie year of 2012, she started the year ranked 147th in the QT Ranking, which determines eligibility for the tour.</p>
<p> Then, in May 2012, she participated in the &#8220;Resort Trust Ladies&#8221; as an organizer&#8217;s recommendation, and performed well, finishing in 8th place, and in June 2012, she passed the &#8220;1st Re-ranking,&#8221; which determines priority for participation in the second half of the tour. She also surprised everyone by finishing 2nd at the &#8220;NEC Karuizawa 72&#8221; in August.</p>
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<h3><span class="strongInContent"> He is also one of the most popular players in the field.</span></h3>
<p> The secret of her popularity is her innocent smile, but despite her cuteness, her golf game is aggressive. In her first year on tour, she played aggressive golf, aiming for the pin, and was in contention for seeding for the next season until her final round, the Daio Paper Eliere Ladies in November. As her results improved, the number of galleries following her swelled. Long lines of people waiting to sign autographs after matches became a common sight in the latter half of the tour.</p>
<p> She ended the year ranked 57th in the Mercedes Ranking, missing out on her first seeding, which is given to the 50th-ranked player in the same ranking, but she had a very successful year. Nevertheless, the team finished 9th in the final qualifying round (QT final stage) held at the end of November, earning the right to compete in the first half of next season. Incidentally, the Katsuragi Golf Club Ugari Course in Shizuoka, where the tournament was held, is famous for its strong winds, and one misreading of the course could be fatal. Masada&#8217;s persistence in compiling a score in such conditions showed a definite improvement in his golf game. His relieved expression after the match was also impressive.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Last year (&#8217;23), I challenged the QT when I was exhausted after the pro test, so I didn&#8217;t know what to expect and couldn&#8217;t even make it to the finals. This time, I was able to use the experience I gained this year (&#8217;24), as well as the way I attacked, and my shots have improved a lot, so I think I was able to play well while taking advantage of that.&#8221;</span></p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead=" Fruit... An unexpected problem in his first year as a pro."></div>
<figure id="attachment_407110" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-407110" style="width: 2806px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="28910aa6"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/01/c4dbeb4b5e52eee4d39a93f54f5b79a9.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-407110" class="wp-caption-text">She finished in a tie for 7th place at the Daio Paper Eliere Ladies, the final round of her &#8217;24 season.</figcaption></figure>
<h3><span class="strongInContent"> Something I had avoided until now.</span></h3>
<p> In December, she won the Best Play Award at the JLPGA Awards 2024, the annual awards ceremony held in Japan. This award was given to the best play of the year by a vote of fans, players, tournament officials, and the media from among the nine &#8220;super plays&#8221; selected between March and November. Masada&#8217;s play was selected for this award. The tee shot that she hit on the 16th hole (par 3) on the last day of the Nitori Ladies was the deciding factor in her winning the award, and it was a shot that was truly filled with &#8220;aggressive golf.</p>
<p> Her emerald green lace dress, which she had prepared for the occasion, also attracted attention on stage at the award ceremony. How did you feel about receiving the award?</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> It was a shot to win the tournament, so it was a good shot to get a birdie in a tight spot. （I was very happy (to receive so many fan votes), and I am still very surprised. （I will do my best to win the championship (in 2013), so please support me.</span></p>
<p> I will do my best to win (in 2013), so please support me.</p>
<p> After the season, Masada&#8217;s off-days in December were busy with participating in various events and visiting sponsors. In between, he participated in the &#8220;Newcomer Seminar,&#8221; his second such event.</p>
<p> At 24 years old, he must still be in his second year in the workforce. It was natural that there were so many things he didn&#8217;t understand, but he said, &#8220;I tried to avoid eating difficult foods as much as possible. Still, after the seminar,</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> I learned how to eat difficult fruits again, so I would like to try it next year (laughs).</span></p>
<p> I would like to try it next year. In &#8217;24, she must have been so desperate to be seeded that she did not have time to calm down and look around. He had poured everything he had into golf all year, but after the competition, I felt like I could finally see his true colors.</p>
<p> Still, he is already looking ahead to the next battle. In the &#8217;25 season, I will be able to play from the opening round in March,</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> In the &#8217;24 season, I often fell apart on the last day, so that is my biggest challenge. I want to improve my distance and aim dead (straight) for the pin on the second, and I want to try to hit it a little lower (shorter).</span></p>
<p> He also said on his Instagram. He also wrote on his Instagram page.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> I&#8217;m coming back to the (JLPGA) Awards as the next winner!</span></p>
<p> Masada&#8217;s determination to win the championship for the first time is strong. Expectations are high for Masada to make a further breakthrough in 2013.</p>
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 Myung-Woo Kim

 Getty Images (1st photo), Kyodo News (2nd photo)

 Rookie Yumeno Masada has been the center of attention in the 2012 women's golf season in Japan. She is not only a talented player, but her innocent smile is also one of her charms. We take a closer look at her true face as we look back on a year of fierce competition.

 From the tour to the rookie seminar...Sportswriter Myung-Woo Kim, who covered the event on the spot, takes a closer look at the real face of the rookie.

From the secret of her strength to her unexpected problems&#8230;The true face of Yumeno Masada, a remarkable rookie in women&#8217;s golf, a candidate for the next generation of heroines.

From the secret of her strength to her unexpected problems…The true face of Yumeno Masada, a remarkable rookie in women’s golf, a candidate for the next generation of heroines.

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