The wait is finally over! The LPGA Tour’s Asian Swing wraps up this week with the 2024 TOTO Japan Classic, co-sanctioned with the JLPGA. From October 31 to November 3, 78 talented golfers divided into 43 from the LPGA and 35 from the Japanese Tour will tee off at the Seta Golf Course for the 72-hole event. The best part? No cut, so all players will compete in all four rounds.
This star-studded field boasts three top-10 players from the Rolex Rankings like Jin Young Ko, Ayaka Furue, and Haeran Ryu. Brooke Henderson also returns to the TOTO Japan Classic for the first time since 2018, fresh from her top-10 finish in Malaysia. With the Race to the CME Globe Tour Championship looming, this tournament is a crucial opportunity for players to secure their spot.
Here are the tee timings and pairings for round 1 per the official LPGA website:-
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Hole 1 Ariya Jutanugarn (THA), Wichanee Meechai (THA), Haruka Kawasaki (JPN) Hole 10 Wei-Ling Hsu (TPE), Yuka Yasuda (JPN), Allisen Corpuz (USA) Hole 1 Sayaka Takahashi (JPN), Serena Aoki (JPN), Arpichaya Yubol (THA) Hole 10 A Lim Kim (KOR), Nataliya Guseva (UNA), Karen Tsuruoka (JPN) Hole 1 Chanettee Wannasaen (THA), Hikaru Yoshimoto (JPN), Jin Hee Im (KOR) Hole 10 Linn Grant (SWE), Hira Naveed (AUS), Minami Hiruta (JPN) Hole 1 Peiyun Chien (TPE), Saiki Fujita (JPN), Alexa Pano (USA) Hole 10 Ai Suzuki (JPN), Shina Kanazawa (JPN), Somi Lee (KOR) Hole 1 Jiyai Shin (KOR), Momoko Osato (JPN), Lucy Li (USA) Hole 10 Linnea Strom (SWE), Lala Anai (JPN), Pajaree Anannarukarn (THA) Hole 10 Mitsuki Kobayashi (JPN), Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DEN), Xiyu Lin (CHN) Hole 1 Minjee Lee (AUS), Kotone Hori (JPN), Erika Hara (JPN) Hole 10 Paula Reto (RSA), Haruka Amamoto (JPN), Jenny Shin (KOR) Hole 1 Sarah Schmelzel (USA), Yui Kawamoto (JPN), Chisato Iwai (JPN) Hole 10 Mi Hyang Lee (KOR), Haruka Morita (CHN), Shuri Sakuma (JPN) Hole 1 Narin An (KOR), Hinako Shibuno (JPN), Sakura Koiwai (JPN) Hole 10 Gemma Dryburgh (SCO), Moriya Jutanugarn (THA), Miyuu Abe (JPN) Hole 1 Yuka Saso (JPN), Gabriela Ruffels (AUS), Shiho Kuwaki (JPN) Hole 10 Kokona Sakurai (JPN), Leona Maguire (IRL), Minami Katsu (JPN) Hole 1 Brooke M. Henderson (CAN), Haeran Ryu (KOR), Miyu Yamashita (JPN) Hole 10 Hana Lee (KOR), Grace Kim (AUS), Amiyu Ozeki (JPN) Hole 1 Jin Young Ko (KOR), Ayaka Furue (JPN), Rio Takeda (JPN) Hole 10 Hana Wakimoto (JPN), Seonwoo Bae (KOR), Sora Kamiya (JPN) Hole 1 Jennifer Kupcho (USA), Mao Saigo (JPN), Akie Iwai (JPN) Hole 10 Marina Alex (USA), MinYoung Lee (KOR), Yealimi Noh (USA)
The $2 million purse is up for grabs at the event. World Number 1, Nelly Korda, and her strong opponent, Lydia Ko are not in the field. But before the game starts later today, let’s learn a few things about the tournament’s rich history.
The rich history around the TOTO Japan Classic
The TOTO Japan Classic is a big deal in women’s golf! It’s been around since 1973 and has seen a few venue and sponsor changes. From 2006 through 2015, it was played at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club in Shima, Mie. In 2016 and 2017, the event was held at the Minori Course of Taiheiyo Club in Omitama, Ibaraki, then changed back to the North Course of Seta Golf Course in Ōtsu, Shiga prefecture for the 2018 event. It has had names like LPGA Japan Classic, Japan Classic, Mizuno Japan Classic, Mazda Japan Classic, Toray Japan Queens Cup, and a couple of other names.
Despite name and venue changes, one thing remains the same – its ability to attract the world’s top golfers. From legendary players to rising stars, everyone wants to win this prestigious event. Golf legends like Patty Sheehan, Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley, Betsy King, and Karrie Webb have all lifted the trophy in Japan. Annika Sorenstam was unstoppable, winning five consecutive times from 2001 to 2005. Talk about dominance.
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Recent champions include major winners Stacy Lewis (2012) and Shanshan Feng (2016, 2017). In 2023, JLPGA Tour player Mone Inami won big at the TOTO Japan Classic on Sunday, earning her 13th victory on the LPGA Tour of Japan and first on the LPGA Tour.
So, are you excited for the upcoming tournament? Let us know in the comment section below!
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