Soo-Yun Kang Wins 2016 Suntory Ladies Open

Kangsy! I’ve been a fan of Soo-Yun Kang since she was a 20-something player on the United States-based LPGA. Back in 2005, it was a great thrill to see the Fashion Model of the Fairways win the Safeway Classic…and have to lift a ridiculously HUGE trophy: see it here. Since playing full-time on the LPGA … Continue reading →

Ha-Neul Kim Wins 2016 AXA Ladies Golf Tournament (JLPGA)

For the third straight tournament, South Korea’s Ha-Neul Kim was either alone or had a share of first place after rounds 1 and 2. Unfortunately for her, she was unable to finish the job at Yokohama or T-Point. But at the 2016 AXA Ladies Golf Tournament, she left the field in her wake with a … Continue reading →

Kaori Ohe Wins 2016 T-Point Ladies Golf Tournament (JLPG)

Standing on the 17th tee during the third and final round of the 2016 T-Point Ladies Golf Tournament, overnight leader Ha-Neul Kim needed another flash of lightning like she had in the 2nd round when she scored a hole-in-one on the par 3 17th. Instead of an ace, Kim would go on to bogey the … Continue reading →

Jiyai Shin Wins 2015 JLPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup

Congratulations to one of my favorite players, Jiyai Shin, on her Major victory at the season ending 2015 JLPGA Championship Ricoh Cup. Shin lived up to her nickname “The Final Round Queen” with a 4-under 68 to finish at 7-under. That was good enough for a 6 shot victory over 2nd place Shiho Oyama (-1), … Continue reading →

Bo-Mee Lee Wins 2015 Golf 5 Ladies Professional Golf Tournament (JLPGA)

The top of the leaderboard at the 2015 Golf 5 Ladies Professional Golf Tournament read like a who’s who of the 2015 LPGA of Japan season. Teresa Lu and Momoko Ueda are both in the top 5 of the money list, player of the year rankings and scoring average. Sun-Ju Ahn is third in scoring. … Continue reading →

Teresa Lu Wins 2015 Resort Trust Ladies (JLPGA), Defends 2014 Title

For an avid LPGA fan like myself, the JLPGA’s 2015 Resort Trust Ladies top finishers were a tip of the hat to some familiar names. Soo-Yun Kang, winner of the LPGA’s 2005 Safeway Classic, had by far her best tournament of the season. It wasn’t just that she finished tied for 4th. She’s had a … Continue reading →

Yumiko Yoshida Wins 2015 Chukyo Television Bridgestone Ladies Open (JLPGA)

Patterns have been emerging as we move closer to the halfway point of the 2015 LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) season. At last week’s Hoken No Madoguchi Ladies Jae-Eun Chung of South Korea was on the precipice of winning, leading through two rounds before a stumble in round 3 cost her victory. For a second straight … Continue reading →

Ji-Yai Shin Wins 2014 Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament (JLPGA), Takes The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Ah, the memories. Last week it was former LPGA favorite of mine, Momoko Ueda, winning on the JLPGA. This week it’s former LPGA superstar, Jiyai Shin, shining at the 2014 Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament. She threw down the gauntlet with a first round 5-under 67. From there, nobody could pass her. Catch her, yes. Pass … Continue reading →

Sakura Yokomine Wins 2013 Ito En Ladies Golf Tournament

So I wake up this morning…hallelujah…with my body feeling the drain of a busy week and imploring me to stay in bed and sleep a few more hours. Since I don’t always cover the JLPGA, especially non-Major weeks, the odds were in my favor to sleep in. After all, there were 55 players competing in … Continue reading →

Teresa Lu Wins 2013 Mizuno Classic

From the first day she touched a golf club to the moment she drained her final birdie at the 2013 Mizuno Classic, I don’t know if Taiwan’s Teresa Lu has ever played a better round. I highly doubt that if she has, that it came at a more critical time. With a sensational 9 birdie, … Continue reading →