Kim HaNeul's Analysis: Japanese Women's Golf on a Strong Surge

Takeda, Furue, Yamashita, and Hataoka in Harmony
Japanese LPGA Players Sweep Top 3 in Rookie of the Year Points
Perfect System with Swing Coaches and Personal Trainers
A Season of Abundant Rewards as Overseas Challenges Begin in Earnest

"This is just the beginning for Japanese women's golf."

This is the assessment of 'golf beauty' Kim HaNeul. On April 24, she stated, "Japan's upward momentum is formidable," and analyzed, "It may not be a one-off phenomenon and could dominate the world of women's golf for some time." Kim HaNeul is an expert on Japanese women's golf. After debuting on the KLPGA Tour in 2007 and achieving a total of eight wins, she moved to the JLPGA Tour in 2015, where she collected six victories. Since retiring in November 2021, she has been active in various fields, including broadcasting and YouTube.

Rookie Takeda Rio won the LPGA Tour Toto Japan Classic held in Japan last year as a non-member, and this year she reached the top again after advancing to the United States. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

As Kim HaNeul noted, Japanese players are demonstrating outstanding skills this year. In the past, their swings were unrefined, but now they showcase flawless technique. The rookies, in particular, are standing out. They are dominating the LPGA Tour's Rookie of the Year race, with four Japanese players ranked in the top five.

Takeda Rio, who stands at 167 cm, may not have overwhelming physical stature, but her driving distance and iron shots are precise. She is a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year this season. Last year, she swept eight wins on the JLPGA Tour, monopolizing both Player of the Year and Money Leader honors. After winning the LPGA Tour Toto Japan Classic as a non-member in November last year, she advanced to the U.S. stage the following year and claimed victory at the Blue Bay LPGA last month. She currently leads the Rookie of the Year points race with 341 points.

And that's not all. Yamashita Miyu is in second place with 230 rookie points, Akie Iwai, one of the twin golfers, is in third with 165 points, and her sister Chisato Iwai is in fifth with 102 points. The only players capable of challenging the Japanese dominance are Ingrid Lindblad of Sweden, who won last week's JM Eagle LA Championship, and long-hitter Yoon Ina. They are ranked fourth (162 points) and tied for sixth (98 points) in rookie points, respectively.

After recording six wins on the Japanese stage before retiring, HaNeul Kim predicted that the dominance of Japanese women's golf would continue due to its perfect system and training conditions. FJ

Kim HaNeul paid special attention to the skills of JLPGA Tour players. She said, "Japanese players have good physiques and have developed technically. They hire coaches to create consistent swing planes," adding, "It feels like they are learning systematically. As their swings have improved overall, so have their skills. I think they have made remarkable progress."

Kim HaNeul stated that the investments made by Japanese players have translated into results. She said, "Since I entered Japan ten years ago, Japanese players have been hiring personal trainers to manage their bodies. The effects are now becoming evident." She continued, "Japanese players warm up for 30 to 40 minutes before tournaments. After tournaments, they relieve fatigue through various training and massages," analyzing, "The advanced system of Japanese golf is finally paying off."

Veteran Nasa Hataoka serves as a strong support for juniors who have entered the LPGA Tour. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Japanese players have a deep talent pool. This is because they have been thoroughly managing themselves for a long time. Currently on the LPGA Tour, veterans such as Nasa Hataoka (six wins), Yuka Saso (two wins), and Hinako Shibuno (one win) are still going strong. In addition, Ayaka Furue, ranked seventh in the world with two wins, serves as a central figure. The older players are leading the way, while the younger ones are pushing from behind, creating a strong team dynamic.

Kim HaNeul explained, "The JLPGA Tour has firmly established itself as a popular sport," adding, "Japanese players are gaining extensive experience on the JLPGA Tour before advancing to the U.S." She advised, "Japanese players are not content with domestic success and are choosing to challenge themselves abroad. Our players should also pursue overseas opportunities more actively."

Akie Iwai (left) and her twin sister Chisato are making a splash on this year's LPGA Tour. Photo by AFP News Agency

Kim HaNeul diagnosed that the JLPGA Tour's training environment has led to its current success. "The JLPGA Tour is nearly perfect in terms of coaching, treatment, and course setup," Kim HaNeul said, "A playing environment has been created that allows players to focus solely on their game." She added, "The training environment is especially excellent. The practice facilities are so good that players keep practicing, which has improved their skills. Because they have steadily honed their abilities over a long period, the strength of Japanese women's golf will likely continue for some time." Kim HaNeul concluded, "Japanese players are not satisfied with domestic tours and are choosing to challenge themselves. This is the most formidable aspect."