Former World No. 1 Shin Jiyai of South Korea has declared her intention to win this week’s Sony JLPGA Championship when it tees off at the Kanehide Kise Country Club in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture on Thursday.
Shin, who won the 2018 edition of the prestigious Japan LPGA Championship and finished tied-second at the recent AIG Women’s Open, is also expected to spearhead the international challenge which features players from South Korea, Chinese Taipei, China, Thailand and the Philippines.
“My goal for this week is to win this Major championship again,” said the 36-year-old, who is the most successful Korean golfer, male or female, of all time with over 60 professional wins and multiple Majors titles. She also spent a total of 25 weeks in three stints atop the world rankings
“Since coming back from Scotland where the weather was cold to a warmer place like Okinawa now, I have to adjust my body conditions so that I can be physically sharp.”
“The course conditions this week are going to be the exact opposite of Scotland where the wind was so strong. I had to lower my hand position when taking a shot and change my stance to overcome the gusty conditions. I need to adjust my swing accordingly now so that I can play and adapt to the right conditions.”
The 57th edition of the Japan LPGA Championship – with Sony Group Corporation as its new title sponsor after taking over the sponsorship previously held by Konica Minolta – welcomes several other notable international players including China’s Haruka Morita as well as Chinese Taipei’s Wu Chia-yen and Babe Liu.
Thailand will be represented by the trio of Pannarat Thanapolboonyara, Jasmine Suwannapura and Chanettee Wannasaen at the ¥200,000,000 event, while Bianca Pagdanganan, who narrowly missed a podium finish with her tied-fourth finish at the Paris Olympics, will fly the Philippines flag.
Bianca Pagdanganan addressing the media with Chanettee Wannasaen and Jasmine Suwannapura. Photo: Sony JLPGA Championship
“I am really grateful for having an opportunity to play on JLPGA. I would like to take this opportunity to see where my game stands as there are many good golfers on the JLPGA. I’m just really excited to see how this week goes,” said Pagdanganan.
Japan’s Sora Kamiya, in what was only her second major start on her JLPGA rookie season last year, claimed a one-shot victory at the JLPGA Championship and will be back to defend her title.
“Although I’m the defending champion, there’s still lots of work to do as this is a new venue and I’m still trying to orientate myself with the course layout and conditions. It’s a long course and there will be a lot of walking. I need to conserve my energy and be mentally and physically prepared,” said Kamiya.
Inaugurated in 1968, the JLPGA Championship celebrates the rich legacy of women’s golf in Japan. Since 2017, the JLPGA has welcomed aspiring golfers from across Asia, offering them a pathway to the Tour’s premier championship, where it has been positioned as more than just a domestic competition.
Hiroki Totoki, President, COO and CFO, Sony Group Corporation said: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to be the special sponsor of this historic tournament that has supported the development of women’s professional golf in Japan for over 55 years.
“Sports is among the ultimate forms of live entertainment that unites diverse people around the world beyond countries and regions, through the shared sense of joy and accomplishment that brings players and fans together.
“Sony’s Purpose is to “fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology,” and we are committed to further expanding the Kando of sports and delivering it to the world. This special sponsorship is another way for us to continue to contribute to the development of sports.”
