The Japan Women's Open, a domestic major tournament to decide the best women's golf in Japan, will start on the 29th in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture.


We will explore the highlights of this tournament in the women's golf world, which is dominated by the younger generation


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The Japan Women's Open is one of the domestic major tournaments, and will be held for four days from the 29th at the Murasaki Country Club Sumire Course in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture.



120 people are scheduled to participate in the tournament, including Miyu Yamashita, who is currently ranked 1st in the points ranking, Mao Saigo, who is 2nd, and Moenei Inami, who was 3rd and won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year.



Among amateurs, 17-year-old second-year high school student Saki Baba became the first Japanese player in 37 years to win the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship in August, and second-year high school student Mio Ueda, who participated in the World Amateur Team Championship with Baba. , Mizuki Hashimoto, a second-year university student, was also specially allowed to participate.



In the first round, Baba will be in the same group as Minami Katsu, the champion of last year's tournament, and Mao Saigo, who won five domestic tour titles this season. I was talking to



NHK will broadcast the tournament on General TV and BS1.



Before the start of the tournament, Miyu Yamashita and Mao Saigo, two of the hottest players, responded to NHK's interview and talked about their enthusiasm for the tournament.

3 wins this season Miyu Yamashita "No change as usual"

Yamashita, who has 3 wins this season and is currently ranked No. I think we are connected," he said.

Regarding the course of this year's tournament, ``The fairway is surprisingly wide, but the rough is deep, so if you bend the tee shot, it will be difficult to make the second shot. If you don't hit it, putting will become difficult," he said.


On top of that, "I'm good at the second shot of about 130 to 140 yards, so I want you to see that. I'll play golf as usual when the chance comes, and I can focus on the one shot in front of me and fight as high as possible. I want to do my best."

5 wins this season Mao Saigo "I want to concentrate on my play"

Saigo, who has five wins this season and is second in the point ranking, said, "I think it's going to be a really difficult battle, so it will be important to play as much as possible without bogeying. Manage well from the tee shot. I want to be able to save par even if I make a mistake."

Regarding the first round with Saki Baba, who is attracting attention as an amateur, and Minami Katsu, who won this tournament last year, he said, "I think it's a battle between the course and myself, so I'm really looking forward to it. I want to concentrate on playing," he said.



On top of that, she enthusiastically said, "I'm good at iron shots, so I'd like to make a solid score there, play as hard as I can, and get even one shot less."

Women's golf world where new stars are born one after another

They are called the "golden generation," "platinum generation," or "millennial generation," based on the year in which the players were born.


Why are young people so popular?


What is the analysis of Shinobu Moromizato, who is a commentator at the Japan Women's Open, which decides the best in Japan?

"Every week in this season's domestic tour, we don't know who will win. We can't win if we don't



keep improving our technique and spirit." .


Eight of the top 10 players in the point rankings so far this season are players from the so-called “○○ generation” after 1998.

Born in 1998 “Golden Generation”

One of the representatives is Nasa Hataoka.


She has won four domestic majors, including as an amateur, and won six on the US Tour.

Hinako Shibuno, who became the first Japanese player to win an overseas major in 42 years at the Women's British Open three years ago, is also leading the generation.

In addition, Sakura Koiwai, who has seven domestic tour victories, Minami Katsu, who has won the Japan Women's Open, and Erika Hara, are also active.



Regarding the characteristics of the “golden generation,” Moromizato said, “After working hard with the goals of Ai Miyazato and Sakura Yokomine, the generation has matured further under the influence of Hataoka and Shibuno, who achieved results overseas first. ” is analyzed.

Born in 2000 “Platinum Generation”

Ayaka Furue won her first victory in her first year on the US Tour in July this year.

Yuna Nishimura has 6 domestic tour wins.

Born in 2001 “New Century Generation”

In addition to Yuka Saso, who won her first U.S. Women's Open title last year, Yamashita, who has ranked first in points so far.

With five wins on the domestic tour this season, Saigo is leading the current women's golf world in Japan.

The younger generation is even more active

And the generations below them have followed.


20-year-old Chirei Iwai, who won two consecutive domestic tour titles this season, and 19-year-old Haruka Kawasaki, who won the domestic major.

She is also showing remarkable performance with amateur Saki Baba, a 17-year-old second-year high school student who won the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship for the first time in 37 years as a Japanese player.

Enhanced from amateur

Why are young twinkling stars born one after another?


Moromizato points out that this is because there is a system in place to strengthen amateurs before they become professionals.



Since 2012, 10 years ago, the Japan Golf Association (JGA), which oversees amateurs, has selected promising junior high and high school students from eight district federations nationwide and is working to strengthen them.

In addition to technical and training guidance, in some districts, the practice environment was enhanced by providing golf courses free of charge.


Players such as Shibuno, Koiwai, and Yamashita all grew up under this system.

If they achieve good results, they will be able to join the national team, and from 2015 they will be able to learn course management overseas under the guidance of a coach invited from Australia.


Players such as Hataoka, Furue, and Nishimura have experience working for this national team, and amateur player Baba is currently on the team.



Mr. Moromizato says, "I can learn many things in a good environment since I was a junior.

Comprehensive strength is tested in competitions

This year's Japan Women's Open will be played on a 6,839-yard course, the longest in tour history.

Moromizato, who won the tournament in 2007, said, "Comprehensive strength will be tested. From the 12th hole onwards, there is a high level of strategy.


On top of that, she frankly said, "I don't know who will win this year's women's tour."



Will the young generation named "Golden", "Platinum" and "New Century" win the tournament?

Or will the birth of a new star and veterans show their will?


Keep an eye on the four-day battle.