Rising Star of Women’s Pro Golf, Kanako Aoki: One Day, I Want to Take on the U.S. Tour!

“Ayaka Furue (24) and Yuka Yasuda (24) have always been like stars out of reach. But now, I can finally stand on the same stage as them!”

Flashing a bright, carefree smile, Kanako Aoki (24), who passed the women’s golf pro test last year, shares her excitement. Her weapon is a driver with an average distance of 250 yards, making her one of the top power hitters even among pros. “I love irons and I’m good at them. My style is all about aggressively aiming for the pin,” she says, emphasizing her attacking playstyle.

Her first impression is overwhelmingly cheerful, and the phrase free-spirited and lively fits her perfectly.

“I actually started playing golf seriously quite late. I played volleyball from elementary to junior high school, but I wasn’t tall enough to go further. Since I had been playing golf casually from the age of 10 under my grandfather’s influence, I decided to pursue it seriously and entered a high school in my hometown of Miyazaki with a golf club.”

In high school, she ranked high in the Kyushu regional tournament but struggled to achieve notable results on the national stage.

“In my senior year, our team faced Takigawa Daini, led by Yuka-chan, in a team competition. Her uniform had ‘JAPAN’ written on it. Her play clearly showed the difference in level.”

However, she wasn’t discouraged by the reality check. Instead, she was inspired. “Seeing skilled players up close made me think, ‘That’s so cool.’ It motivated me to take the pro test.”

Her teachers encouraged her to go to college, but she deliberately chose the tougher path. “If I waited four more years for the pro test, I’d fall behind.” She skipped university and honed her skills as a trainee while working as a caddie at the prestigious Phoenix Country Club in Miyazaki.

But what followed was a series of struggles. Her first protest in 2019 ended in a first-stage elimination by just one stroke. In 2020, the test was postponed due to the pandemic. In 2021, when the postponed test was held alongside that year’s regular one, she only made it to the second stage both times. In 2022, she saw it as a crucial year, but again, she fell short by one stroke in the first stage.

“Failing at the first stage after four years really took a toll on me mentally. My father always supported me, wanting me to become a professional athlete, but at one point, I told him outright, ‘Please don’t say anything about golf anymore.’ He accepted it.”

In the fall of 2022, Aoki stepped away from golf. Looking at her high school classmates’ social media filled with job-hunting stories and sparkling graduation trip photos, she admitted, “I felt really envious.”

The unwavering passion for golf

After stepping away from competition, she became so engrossed in yoga that she even considered becoming an instructor. Yet, she couldn’t completely sever her ties with golf. Six months passed as she continued working as a caddie, and in April 2023, several members of Phoenix approached her with a proposal:

“That became a turning point for me. I asked myself what I truly wanted—would I walk away from golf for good? I spent about a month struggling with the decision, but I realized that it wasn’t that I disliked golf. More than anything, I was grateful to have people supporting me. And if it meant easing the financial burden on my parents, I decided to challenge the pro path once again.”

Once she made up her mind, things moved quickly. She attempted the professional test for the fifth time in 2023. Despite her time away from competitive golf, she made it to the second qualifying stage before being eliminated—but she gained a newfound sense of confidence.

Determined to succeed, she relocated to Tokyo in February last year. She quit caddying and devoted herself entirely to golf.

“There are way more amateur tournaments in Kanto than in Miyazaki. I barely took one or two days off per month. I’d wake up at 5 AM, head straight to the golf course, and spend my days just hitting and hitting. That routine continued until the protest in October last year.”

Tokyo life suited her well. She also enjoyed aspects of being a typical 20-something, relieving stress by shopping in Roppongi and Ginza.

“I love fashion, and my favorite brand is ‘ZARA,’ but we don’t have one in Miyazaki (laughs). So, I take little breaks to shop at Roppongi Hills. Also, I discovered how amazing beer tastes after a sauna—something I learned only after moving to Tokyo.”

She gained a boost of confidence after winning a Mynavi Next Heroine Tour event, a series for young players aiming to pass the pro test. Then, in her sixth attempt, she finally made it—passing the exam in tears of joy.

As a rookie, she will primarily compete in the second-tier tour, but she has also secured invitations to a few regular tour events. Her talent and marketability have drawn significant attention, and she has already signed sponsorship deals with an unprecedented six companies.

“I’m incredibly grateful for all the support. My first goal is to achieve solid results in the second-tier tour and earn a spot in next season’s main tour events. Ultimately, I want to become a player who can challenge the U.S. tour, where my idol, Nelly Korda, competes!”

Will this late-blooming rookie carve out a meteoric rise?

From the March 7, 2025, issue of “FRIDAY”