Yuna Nishimura Wins Her Long-Awaited First Title: “Ai Miyazato’s Words Saved Me During a Slump”

A Shift in Mindset

“It was precisely because Ai Miyazato had won this tournament that I wanted to win it. I’m so happy.”

Her words conveyed a deep sense of respect for her great predecessor—.

Yuna Nishimura (26), the ace of the “Millennium Generation” (born in 2000) in women’s golf, claimed her long-awaited first U.S. Tour victory at the “Walmart NW Arkansas Championship” on September 28 (Japan time).

“When I watched her swing last spring, I got the impression she was putting a lot of tension in her arms. Nishimura is petite, standing at 150 cm, and was likely trying to improve her driving distance, which was slightly shorter than other players’. However, because she was so focused on that, she was starting to lose her signature skill—her deft putting and approach shots.”

“This time, however, she showed the mental fortitude to stay true to herself even in crucial moments and won by tying the course record. I could sense her mental growth,” said golf commentator Fumiko Muraguchi.

It is said that the words of Ai Miyazato (41) contributed to this mental shift.

“Around last summer, Nishimura consulted Shinobu Moromizato (40), who has experience on the U.S. Tour, and Ai Miyazato about her mindset during play. Miyazato reportedly advised Nishimura, ‘Focus on one thing at a time.’

It may sound like common sense, but Miyazato has been a role model for Nishimura since childhood, so those words must have carried a lot of weight. Nishimura’s play improved significantly after that, leading to her first victory in her fourth full season on the LPGA Tour—just like Miyazato did.” (Sports newspaper golf reporter)

A “major comeback” from world No. 350 had begun.

From the October 16, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*