The LPGA Women's Golf Tour "Founders Cup" will kick off on February 7th (Japan time) at Bradenton CC in Florida, USA, and will be broadcast live on WOWOW every day. A total of 12 Japanese players, including rookies, will participate.
The seeded group includes last year's major champions Yuka Sasao and Ayaka Furue, Hinako Shibuno, who is playing in her first tournament of the season and aiming for her second US tour win, and Mao Saigo, who was named Rookie of the Year last season. The rookie group making their full debut on the US tour includes last year's Japan Tour prize money queen Reo Takeda, who finished 8th in last week's opening tournament, as well as Miyu Yamashita, who was the Japan Tour prize money queen in 2022 and 2023, and sisters Akemi Iwai and Chirei, who have a combined total of 13 Japan Tour wins.
Ahead of the tournament, the players spoke about their current condition and enthusiasm.
◇Ayaka Furue
-First of all, could you look back on the opening game?
Since it was our first match, I think we ended up struggling to get into good form.
-What specific things did you make adjustments to after the opening game?
I think I just need to hit the ball with confidence. It's a matter of whether I can do that properly in the match. I also thought I struggled a bit with my approach shots, so I'm increasing the amount of practice I do this week.
--You played well on this course last year, but how did it feel playing here again (in practice)?
While there are some parts that remind me of last year, the course is in much better condition than last year, so I hope I can improve my score again this year.
--Is there anything you are planning to change in terms of course management compared to last year?
I don't know if I'll change it, but it's a green with a clear view, so I want to think about that and be conscious of the carry of the second shot. Also, since it's a flat course, I think it's easy to be affected by the wind when it comes out. I'd like to manage that well.
-Finally, please tell us your goals for this week.
This week I'm aiming for the top 10 and then hopefully can move on to competing for the championship.
◇Yamashita Miyu
--The 2025 LPGA Tour season starts this week. First of all, what were your thoughts and what was your determination when you decided to go to the United States?
Last year, I was able to pass the final qualifying round, so I'm excited about the start of a new year. However, since this is my first experience, I'm not quite sure how things will go yet, but I want to work hard and stay strong so I can fight all year long.
-Since you arrived, have you had a chance to talk to the Japanese players or other LPGA players there?
Yesterday, I had a practice round with Shibuno-san and Katsu-san, and it was a really fun round. They gave me lots of advice, and it was my first time, so there were a lot of things I didn't understand, and it was really reassuring to have them teach me about those things.
--I believe this is your first time taking this course. What are your impressions of the course and what points do you think are important to you?
The greens are extremely difficult, so I'll be managing the course to avoid hitting the ball in places I can't miss, and my approach shots around the green and putting will be important, so I'd like to get a score that will allow me to recover in those areas.
-Finally, do you have any goals as you compete on the LPGA Tour this year?
First of all, I want to do my best to secure a seed, but since I'm participating in a match, I also want to do my best to win, so I want to do my best in each and every game with the aim of winning.
◇ Yuka Sasao
--Last week was your first game in a while, so can you look back on it?
It was cold, but it didn't rain and we were able to make a lot of good memories, so I think it was a really fun week.
--Still in Florida. What are your impressions of this week's course?
It was about a two-hour drive, but the weather is completely different (the temperature is at least 10 degrees higher than last week), and the course style is also different, so I think it will be a different challenge.
--You got a lot of birdies last week, but how are you feeling this week?
It's still only the second week, so I'm not sure if this week will be good or bad (laughs).
--Last week was your first match in a while, so you were trying out some new clubs, but were there any adjustments you made this week?
I adjusted my irons a little bit, but it hasn't made a huge difference.
-Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
First of all, I will do my best to do what I need to do and make it through the qualifying rounds.
◇Akemi Iwai and Chirei
--Your new path finally begins this week. How do you feel about this?
Akemi: Right now I'm feeling a bit anxious, but also excited.
Chirei: My head is full of English right now, but I'm doing my best every day.
--What are you looking forward to most?
Akemi: This will be my first time playing a match with a caddy from overseas, so that's what I'm most looking forward to.
Chirei: I'm most looking forward to seeing how far I can go.
--Your practice round with your caddy seemed to have a really good atmosphere, but how was communication with him?
Akemi: When playing golf, it's not that difficult because it's all golf terminology, but I think I'd get bored during a match if I only used golf terminology, so I'd like to be able to have everyday conversations, but I think that's still difficult (laughs).
Chirei: I don't understand most of what they're saying (laughs), but gradually. I feel like my ears are more used to it than yesterday, so even if I don't understand, I want to keep listening intently.
-Finally, please tell us your goals for this week and for the whole year.
Akie: Just have fun and smile! Any match this year is fine, so I'll do my best to win.
Chirei: This year I want to get a seed and I'm aiming for at least one win, any match will do!
◇Mao Saigo
--The 2025 season is finally about to begin, so first of all, please tell us how you feel.
The off-season went by in a flash, so I'm not completely ready yet, but I'd like to work hard to improve my condition little by little.
--Your rookie year must have been a really tough schedule, but how do you feel about this year, your second year?
If possible, I would like to achieve good results early on so that I can have a more relaxed second year in terms of my schedule.
--What is your impression of this course?
The grass on the fairway seemed a little longer than last year, and I didn't get as much run, so I think I'm holding the clubs a little longer than last year. There was no wind during the practice round and it was calm, but last year, it seemed like the wind blew really hard on a few days, so I think the impression will be different this year.
--Last year was your rookie year and you won the Rookie of the Year award. In what areas do you think you have improved?
I think my biggest challenge was around the greens, so if I can increase the number of strokes that I'm satisfied with, I think that will lead to better numbers, so first I want to work on improving my stats around the greens.
-Finally, please tell us your goals for this week and for the rest of the year.
Although it's the first match, I want to play to the best of my ability and do my best to compete for the championship.
*The Founders Cup will be broadcast live every day on WOWOW. The first day (February 7th) and second day (February 8th) will be broadcast from 1:00 AM, and the third day (February 9th) and final day (February 10th) will be broadcast from 4:00 AM, all on WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand. WOWOW On Demand will also be live streaming a "camera dedicated to Japanese athletes" that will focus on the performance of Japanese athletes.
