TOKYO – Japanese female golfers have enjoyed great success this year on the U.S. LPGA Tour, racking up five wins, including two majors, as a record-high 13 players test themselves on the other side of the Pacific.
The loss of talent contributed to the domestic LPGA of Japan Tour seeing some 500 fewer spectators per tournament. But on the international stage, Japan has never been so popular.
The prime example was the Women’s British Open held through Aug. 3, at which Japanese golfers occupied the top three spots after the first round: Eri Okayama and Rio Takeda at the top with eventual winner Miyu Yamashita in third.
In the same playing group as Takeda for the first three rounds, tour rookie Yamashita led from the second round onwards to take her maiden major win, and she said having her compatriot close by helped her bid.
“It’s rare to play together for three days. I was able to keep a good rhythm throughout,” Yamashita said.
An increased number of Japanese support staff allows the players to feel more at home, while having a group of 13 compatriots on course — up from nine in 2024 — has allowed for more effective information sharing.
“In terms of communicating, I feel at ease having more opportunities where we can speak Japanese,” said third-year U.S. tour player Minami Katsu.
The bond was strengthened when all 13 players put any rivalries aside to share a meal during the year.
U.S. LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler, appointed in May, has welcomed Japan’s success as the added star power brings new fans to the tour.
With women’s golf still in the shadow of the men’s tour in terms of attendance, the U.S. LPGA has been actively posting videos of Japanese golfers on social media to increase access for their fans.
Japan’s women’s golf “boom” began when Hinako Shibuno won the British Women as a 20-year-old in 2019, becoming only the second Japanese woman to win a major following Hisako Higuchi’s triumph at the 1977 LPGA Championship.
It has inspired her generation as well as the next.
Yuka Saso won the U.S. Women’s Open in 2021 and 2024, representing the Philippines for her first victory. Ayaka Furue won the 2024 Evian Championship and Mao Saigo the Chevron Championship this April before Yamashita’s victory.
“Children now think they can also do it and are aspiring to play overseas,” said Hiroshi Yamanaka, the person in charge of junior development at the Japan Golf Association.
AloJapan.com