The battle for supremacy at one of the longest-running tournaments on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) tour and one of the season’s majors is set to thrill when the SONY Japan LPGA Championship tees off on Thursday at the picturesque Oarai Golf Club.
The event will feature a 132-strong field, including an 18-strong contingent of international talent such as former champion and veteran Shin Jiyai, alongside rising star Lee Hyo-Song, who made history last year by winning the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup as an amateur at just 15, becoming the youngest winner in tour history.
Shin, who picked up her 29th JLPGA win at the tour’s first major earlier this year, is mindful of the conditions as she heads into the season’s second.
“Especially the back nine, since it’s close to the sea, you can hear the sound of the waves and the wind, and with the trees around, it was tough to get the timing right with the wind,” she said. “I’m gradually getting back to my own rhythm, so hopefully I can play my own game this week.”
Compatriots Kim Su Ji, Park Ji Young, Lee Ye Won and Park Hyun Kyung are also amongst the 12 South Koreans set to compete, and they were all in agreement that the competitive field would be a perfect learning opportunity for them.
“After playing at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup last time, I gained confidence, and two weeks after, I returned to Korea and won at a tournament. My goal for this week is to learn as much as I can, finishing in the top ten and returning to Korea with more confidence,” Hyun Kyung said.
Thailand is represented by Trichat Cheenglab and Patcharajutar Kongkraphan, and it is the former’s second start on tour, after her debut at the Udon-ken Ladies Golf Tournament.
“JLPGA tour is well-known as a big tour in Asia, and I want to get experience, and see players’ technique in this tour,” the Thai said. “My friends used to tell me that the golf course in Japan is very different to Europe, Thailand and other parts of Asia, so I was excited to see and experience that this week.”
Rounding out the international lineup are Chinese Taipei’s Chia Yen Wu and Tsai Pei-Ying, as well as China’s Yuai Ji and Yuting Seki. Their presence reflects the increasingly global appeal of the JLPGA.
JLPGA Chairman Hiromi Kobayashi said, “I believe the biggest contributing factor is the high level of ambition each player holds. With their eyes set on the global stage, they are constantly challenging one another and striving to reach greater heights. In addition, the JLPGA has been committed to strengthening the tour since 2013, with the overarching goal of winning on the global stage.”
On the domestic front, rookie Yuna Araki comes into the tournament off the back of a one-stroke victory at the Golf5 Ladies last Sunday, her first tour title.
“From the start of this season, I was aiming for the win. There were moments along the way when I wondered if I could really do it, but I was inspired by the performances of players like (Hibiki) Iriya. I’m happy that I was able to win as a rookie,” Araki said, having previously finished tied-sixth in her major debut.
The youngster is aware that the course will pose a tough challenge, but is hoping to ride on the momentum from her recent win. “I think shot making will be the key, so I want to make the right adjustments and play well,” she said. “I know winning is not something that comes easily, but since my form isn’t bad, I feel that I can aim for it.”
Also, in red-hot form is Syuri Sakuma, who has bagged three titles in as many months (KKTcup VANTELIN Ladies Open, Bridgestone Ladies Open, Earth Mondahmin Cup).
Having been on the tour since June 2021, Sakuma found the breakthrough with her first title in April and sits atop the prize money ranking for the year.
But with her last win in June, Sakuma is relishing a return to the winner’s circle at Oarai.
“Since my third win, I haven’t been able to put together the results I wanted and have been struggling a bit. But last week, I was able to get a good feel of my shots, so hopefully I can show that this week,” she said.
“I really want to win a major, so as the second major of the year, I hope I can get a good result here.”
