Taeguk Nangja "What Is the Reason for This Year's Poor Performance on the Japanese Stage?"

12th Consecutive Tournament Without a Title, Shin Ji-ae's Late Return After Elbow Surgery, Saigo's '5-Win Surge', Veterans Hori and Ueda Still Going Strong

Shin Ji-ae has not yet won since returning to the field late after elbow surgery.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Still without a crown.'

This is the 2022 season report card for the Taegeuk ladies competing on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour. Out of a total of 38 tournaments, they participated in 12 but have yet to secure a victory. Compared to the record 17 wins combined in 2015 and 2016, this marks a sharp decline. In 2019, they managed only 9 wins, failing to reach double digits, and during the COVID-19 pandemic period, they collected just 4 trophies over two years. This explains why the JLPGA Tour slump looks serious.

Korea has been led by Shin Ji-ae (34). Starting with her win at the 2008 Mizuno Classic, she amassed an impressive 26 victories. Even after the spread of COVID-19, she secured 2 wins each in 2020 and 2021 on her own. However, injuries have held her back. After finishing tied for 50th at the season opener, the Daikin Orchid Ladies Tournament in March, she underwent surgery to remove elbow pain that had troubled her for three years. The diagnosis revealed severe ligament damage, making it impossible to delay surgery any longer.

After her elbow treatment, Shin Ji-ae skipped 7 tournaments and made her comeback on the 29th of last month at the Panasonic Open, finishing tied for 9th. At the Bridgestone Ladies Open, which ended on the 22nd, she achieved her season-best 5th place, raising expectations for her first win of the season, which is a consolation. The absence of Lee Bo-mi (34, 21 wins) and Ahn Sun-joo (35, 28 wins), who once dominated the Japanese stage, is also regrettable. Currently, they are also competing on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, so they have not been able to provide much support.

Saigo Mao is creating a sensation by securing 5 wins in 10 tournaments.

The reason Korea is struggling is due to the emergence of an 'absolute powerhouse.' The protagonist is Mao Saigo (Japan), born in 2001. In the 2020/2021 season, she participated in 50 events but did not secure a win, finishing as runner-up 7 times. This year, her potential exploded. She has already collected 5 wins, including a victory at the Bridgestone Ladies Open. Notably, she achieved 4 wins in the first 7 tournaments, the fastest performance in JLPGA Tour history.

Saigo was cut in two consecutive tournaments, the Salonpas Cup and the Hoken no Madoguchi Ladies, but made a perfect comeback at the Bridgestone Ladies Open. She ranks first in all categories: wins, prize money (99.36 million yen), Mercedes ranking (1506.2 points), average score (70.13 strokes), and most 'Top 10' finishes (8 times). Japan, which had been overshadowed by Korea's momentum, is now experiencing a fresh wave of enthusiasm as veterans like Hori Kotone, Ueda Momoko, and Watanabe Ayaka join the winning ranks.