The LPGA Women's Golf Tour "CME Group Tour Championship" kicks off on November 22 (Japan time) at Tiburon GC in Florida. WOWOW will broadcast live coverage of the four-day tournament every day. Four players from Japan are scheduled to participate: Ayaka Furue, who will be the first Japanese player to win the Bear Trophy (highest average strokes per year); Mao Saigo, who is aiming for Rookie of the Year; Yuka Sasao, winner of this year's U.S. Women's Open; and Nasa Hataoka, who competed for the championship in the same tournament last year.
This championship, which will be the final tournament of the season, is an elite field in which players tied for 60th place or lower in the CME points ranking at the end of the previous tournament will be eligible to participate. They will compete over four days with no qualifying cuts, and the winner will receive the highest prize money in women's golf history of $4 million and the title of "Race to CME Globe Champion." The four Japanese players spoke of their enthusiasm.
◇Ayaka Furue
--How do you feel about finally reaching the final tournament?
(During the season) it felt long, but when I think about it now being the last game, it goes by so quickly, so I feel a bit sad but also want to do my best until the end.
--This year you were in the running for many championships and even won at Evian. What kind of season was it?
Overall, I think it was a good season, and I won a major. But even though I was competing for the top spots in the early games, I struggled to win, so I think it was hard.
--Please tell us about any tournaments or shots that have left an impression on you so far.
I think it would have to be Evian. The second shot and eagle putt on the 18th hole are burned into my memory, and I also remember the birdie putt on the 14th hole very well.
--It's been a while since your game in Hawaii. How did you spend it?
I was able to spend some time relaxing in Hawaii, looking at the ocean, going on a boat ride, and visiting some tourist spots.
--This will be your final game in Florida. What are your impressions of the course?
I think the course is flat, but there are ponds here and there and a lot of red lines, so you'll want to be careful of those. Also, the greens are turret-like and have a drop-off, so I think it will be completely different depending on where you drop the ball.
--The grain of the Bermuda grass seems pretty strong, what do you think?
I think it's strong, so I'll have to judge that carefully and be careful about how I hit the ball.
--You'll also be at stake to become the first Japanese player to win the Bear Trophy (highest average strokes for the year), so is there anything you're paying attention to?
I think I'll just do my best.
This week, if you win, you'll get an incredible $4 million (about 600 million yen). Is there anything you'd like to spend it on if you won?
The amount is so big that I have no idea, but if there's anything I want, I'd like to buy one of those (laughs).
--Please tell us your enthusiasm for the last tournament of the year.
Since it's the last tournament of the year, I'll be able to concentrate well, enjoy it, and play until the end.
◇Sasao Yuka
--How do you feel about the final round?
I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to playing a round on a difficult golf course.
Did 2024 go by in a flash, or did it feel long?
Looking back, it seems to have gone by in a flash. But looking at it in detail, it seems to have been long.
--You also won the U.S. Women's Open. Can you look back on this past year?
It was a year in which I learned a lot, and I was able to make a lot of memories. I think it's good that I've been able to make good memories for three years in a row (since I started playing on the U.S. tour in earnest).
--Please tell us if there are any memorable matches or shots so far.
I can't think of one right away, so maybe there isn't one.
--What are your impressions of this course, having returned after a year?
I think it gets very difficult when the wind blows, so tee shots and second shots are difficult, so I want to be careful about that.
--Par 5s and the like seem to change depending on the wind direction, so what do you think about that?
The wind direction can change the way I manage things, so I'll try to adjust to that and do my best.
How are your conditions this week?
Not bad!
If you win this week, you'll earn $4 million. What would you like to spend it on?
Hmm... I don't know (laughs).
How do you want to end this year?
I hope to make some good memories and finish this season.
◇Hataoka Nasa
First of all, it's the final round. How do you feel?
I'm glad I was able to come back here again this year.
Looking back at 2024, what kind of year was it for you, Hataoka?
I think this year was a tough one for you, as you weren't in the running for the win, but as the season drew to a close, you've been playing more rounds in the top ranks, so I'd like to do my best this week.
--Please tell us if there are any shots or matches that have left an impression on you.
Not many (laughs). But there were a few par 3s where I was close to getting a hole-in-one, and I was also close last week, so it was a shame.
--Last year you were competing for the championship at this tournament, but how did it go?
I was very worried about the impact of the hurricane in October, but it hasn't gotten that bad. The fairways are very soft compared to previous years, so it's hard to gain distance, and there are a few holes that are longer than usual, so it seems like the longer parts aren't as difficult.
--I heard that the fairways are still wet, so does that mean they're longer too?
Yes, normally I imagine this course has a lot of run, but because that's not the case, I think the distances from the second hole onwards will be different from usual, about the first or second one.
--And the Bermuda grass seems to have a strong grain, what do you think?
I've been practicing my approach shots around the green in particular, but I think it's difficult to make impact on the line against the grain, so I'd like to consider my options with various clubs and make the best choice.
ーーIf there is a hole that you think will be a key hole, please tell us.
The course is generally open, but the wind will get stronger in the second half, so I think that will be a concern. If you're lucky, you can get on the 17th hole in two, but it's a course where you really don't know what's going to happen until the very end.
ーーThe prize money for this tournament is $4 million. What would you like to spend it on if you win?
It's such a big amount that I can't even imagine it, but I'll do my best to get it.
ーーSo, please tell us your enthusiasm for the last tournament of the year.
The final tournament of the year is finally here, and I feel like my condition is gradually improving, so I'll do my best to play my best over the four days. And I'll do my best to win.
◇Saigo Mao
ーーHow do you feel about finally reaching the final tournament?
When I think about the fact that the final tournament is already starting, I feel like the year has really gone by in the blink of an eye.
ーーHow do you feel about being able to advance to the top 60 in your rookie year, a field that only the selected people can enter?
Participating in this tournament was the first goal I set for myself this year, so I'm really glad I was able to achieve that, and since this week will be my last, I hope I can enjoy playing.
--As a rookie in 2024, I'm sure a lot of things have happened, but looking back on the past year, how do you feel?
--There have been a lot of difficult things, but on top of that, I've been able to have a very fulfilling year, so I'm really glad I was able to come to this stage.
--Following last week, the tournament is in Florida again this week. What are your impressions after playing?
--It's really windy this week, and I feel that the wind has a big impact. Some holes are a little tight, and some are a little long, so when I look at the scores from previous years, I thought it would be a battle of improving, but from playing yesterday and today, I felt that it's not such an easy course.
--This week, the Bermuda grass looks like it's going to be tough against the grain, how do you feel about that?
There isn't really any rough, but I really felt that the fairways around the green were against the grain and didn't have much clearance, so I think the first thing I need to do is manage my shots so I don't miss in places I shouldn't.
--How are your shots going from last week to this week?
I think my shots are getting better little by little, but I think the first thing I need to do is see what the match is like.
--This match will also determine Rookie of the Year, so how are you feeling?
My first priority is to be able to hit the shots I want to hit and make the swing I want to make, so I want to clear that and then think about the results, so I want to play while focusing on what I need to do.
--This week there is a prize of $4 million. If you win, what would you like to spend it on?
I think a lot of money will be needed next year and beyond, so I would like to save it (laughs).
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm.
First of all, I want to focus on what I need to do, and since it's the final match, I want to do my best to enjoy playing.
*WOWOW will broadcast the CME Group Tour Championship live every day. The first day (November 22nd), second day (23rd), and third day (24th) will be broadcast live on WOWOW Live from 4:00 AM, and the final day (25th) will be broadcast from 3:00 AM. WOWOW On Demand will broadcast live the play of the four Japanese players using a camera dedicated to Japanese players.
