Domestic Golf Tour Launches — Which Strong & Cute Heroine Will Rise?

Strong-and-cute women dominate the field

The curtain has risen on a fierce and beautiful battle for the title of “Queen.”

The domestic women’s golf tour this season started with the Daikin Orchid Ladies, which opened on March 5. In the season opener, last year’s annual queen Akari Sakuma (Shuri, 23) showed overwhelming strength and claimed victory.

Sakuma, who got off to a flying start, faces many potential heroines who could block her path to a consecutive win. Sports writer Myungwoo Kim notes Yuka Yasuda (25) as one to watch.

Shuri Sakuma (Shuri, 23)
She has been on a roll since the opening round! She is in good shape for her second consecutive year as queen of the year!

Power 5
Short game 5
Putting 5
Control 4
Approach 5

Last season, she won four times and became the first-time annual queen, a flawless all-rounder. This season, her level of completeness is still outstanding. Height: 155cm

“Last April, I won my second tour event and thought it was finally time to make a leap forward, but then my hip injury worsened, leading to repeated missed cuts, and I couldn’t gain momentum. During the off-season, I worked on improving flexibility, building a body less prone to injury, and increasing driver distance, which had been a challenge. My swing, now using my whole body effectively, improved my distance from about 225 yards at debut six years ago to 248 yards at the season opener. With a wider range of attacking options, I should be in contention for titles this season.”

Other skilled players aiming for a comeback from injury include “Iron Woman” Sakura Koiwai (27), who holds the fourth-longest consecutive tournament participation record with 142 events.

“In September last year, she decided to undergo surgery on her injured left wrist. Although it was her first long-term absence in nine years of her career and she might have felt anxious she remained at her own pace, saying, ‘It was fun to binge-watch the dramas I admired,’ showing no pressure. She also watched Orix games at Kyocera Dome as a big fan, which seemed like a good refreshment,” said a golf magazine reporter.

Her golf has also shown signs of recovery.

“At the season opener ‘Daikin,’ her driver distance reached 250 yards, back in top form. Since she already has proven achievements, if her iron distance sense returns, she will be a top contender against Sakuma,” said Kim.

Yuka Yasuda (25) | Yui Kawamoto (27)

Yuka Yasuda
Power 4
Short game 5
Putting 4
Control 4
Approach 3

At the season opener, she competed at the top with an improved driver. She aims to win multiple titles and fight in the title race. Height: 163cm

Yui Kawamoto
Power 4
Short game 5
Putting 5
Control 3
Approach 4

Last year, she achieved her personal best Mercedes ranking of 3rd. Her putting accuracy, the best among all players, is her greatest weapon. Height: 163cm

Sakura Koiwai (27)
“Iron precision is the issue”—the “Iron Woman” aims for a full comeback from injury

Power 5
Short game 5
Putting 4
Control 4
Approach 4

Her injury is almost fully healed. “How quickly she regains iron distance feel will be the key,” said Kim. Height: 158cm

Nana Suganuma (26)

Power 4
Short game 3
Putting 4
Control 3
Approach 5

Overcame the disastrous 2024 season to reclaim her seed. Also debuted as a CD artist in February, a golf world idol. Height: 158cm

Haruka Kawasaki (22)

Power 4
Short game 4
Putting 5
Control 4
Approach 3

Last year, her approach game, previously a weapon, was in turmoil. She wants to maintain her good form from the season opener and make this a comeback season. Height: 158cm

Amiyu Ozeki (Amiyu, 22)

Power 3
Short game 4
Putting 5
Control 4
Approach 3

Called the “Koshiba Fuka of the golf world” for her innocent, radiant smile. She will challenge for her second career win with her specialty, putting. Height: 158cm

A rookie who caught FamilyMart’s eye

Some players are vowing a comeback from scandal. One is Haruka Kawasaki (22), who, in her 2022 rookie year, suddenly won one of the four major tournaments, the Japan Women’s Professional Golf Championship. Last year’s triple-bogey affair scandal cast a heavy shadow over her career.

“In April, she returned after tearfully apologizing in front of the press, but her performance has been extremely inconsistent. In the end, she had a poor record, missing the cut 12 times in 29 tournaments. The key, as expected, is her mentality. She is originally known for her strong nerves, as shown by shooting 8-under on the final day of the Women’s Professional Championship with the title on the line. She has refreshed her mindset by dyeing her hair brown and cutting it into a bob. She’s taking on what will be a decisive year,” said the aforementioned reporter.

There are also many promising talents aiming for their first win. Third-year player Yumeno Masada (25) recorded five top-10 finishes in her rookie year, including a tie for second. Last year, she struggled with the sophomore slump, but her form is improving this season, as seen by her temporary tie for 8th at the opening event. Second-year player Reika Miyako (22), who has four top-10 finishes, will also be looking to make a comeback following last year’s report of a forbidden romance with her coach, 30 years her senior.

The rookie class is also full of standout talent. Among them are Shua Matsubara (19), who boasts a 250-yard drive even as a teenager, and Megumi Maeda (23), whose weapon is her highly accurate iron play. However, the most notable prospect is Aika Ito (18).

“She’s a standout who passed the pro test on her first attempt—and at the top, no less. Her greatest weapon is her driver, with an average distance of 255 yards. Her innocent smile has also made her popular, and she even secured FamilyMart as a sponsor before her debut—making her a true golden rookie in both name and reality. She missed the cut at the ‘Daikin’ with 11 over, but as she gains experience, her first victory may not be far off,” said Kim.

What kind of drama will unfold this year?

We are looking forward to a leap forward this season! Fresh players who have been playing for less than 3 years

Yumeno Masada (25)

Power 3
Short game 4
Putting 5
Control 3
Approach 3

Known for her god-level fan service, she sometimes draws long lines of fans after matches. She also maintained strong form with a 4th-place finish at the QT (qualifying tournament). 154 cm

Minami Kiyomoto (20)

Power 3
Short game 3
Putting 3
Control 4
Approach 3

Kiyomoto, who topped the pro test at age 18, is now in her third year. She aims to first consistently make cuts and then contend for higher finishes. 153 cm

Reika Miyako (22)

Power 4
Short game 4
Putting 4
Control 3
Approach 4

She has ended both the romantic and coaching relationship with the coach involved in the forbidden love report. Her ability, proven by competing at the top since her first year, is genuine. 167 cm

Hinano Muguruma (23)

Power 3
Short game 3
Putting 4
Control 5
Approach 3

She recorded seven top-10 finishes on the lower-tier tour last year, her main battleground. The question is whether her highly accurate irons will hold up on the main tour. 154 cm

Suzu Yoshida (22)

Power 3
Short game 4
Putting 3
Control 5
Approach 4

Her older sister is the well-known pro Yuri Yoshida. “She is coached by Yasuharu Konno, who has seven wins on the men’s tour. Whether her form changes will prove beneficial or not remains to be seen,” said Kim. 153 cm

The rookies are also full of exceptional talent!

Aika Ito (18) 

An extraordinary long hitter who caught the attention of a major sponsor

Power 5
Short game 4
Putting 3
Control 3
Approach 2

At just 18, she averages 255 yards. If she can improve her clutch performance, which Kim points out as a challenge, she could make a major breakthrough. 160 cm

Megumi Maeda (23)

Power 2
Short game 4
Putting 2
Control 3
Approach 4

A classical play style centered on precise iron shots. She aims to first achieve results on the lower-tier tour. 156 cm

Shua Matsubara (19)

Power 5
Short game 2
Putting 4
Control 2
Approach 2

Her appeal is a driver exceeding 250 yards. While still raw in many aspects, her powerful style is sure to attract fans. 164 cm

From the March 27/April 3, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”