The only pair match on the LPGA Women's Golf Tour, the Dow Championship, will begin on June 28 (Japan time) at Midland CC in Michigan. WOWOW will broadcast live the four-day tournament every day. Eleven Japanese players will participate, including Takeda Reo and Yamashita Miyu, twin sisters Iwai Akie and Chirei, Shibuno Hinako and Katsu Minami, and Yoshida Yuri and Baba Saki.
In this championship, the participating pairs choose a theme song along with their team name, and the theme song is played when the team name is introduced. Before the opening, WOWOW interviewed them and released the contents. We will deliver it in two parts.
◇Miyu Yamashita
--First of all, what are you looking forward to about this week's team battle?
We don't get to play team matches like this very often, so I'm looking forward to having fun, and I'll do my best to play well and contribute to the team.
--What made you decide to team up with Takeda Reo?
Since it was a team match, neither of us had decided who we would be paired with. So we talked about it and decided to play together.
--I heard the team name was "Yamada." How did that come about?
Reo came up with the team name, and I came up with the song. I heard "Yamada" yesterday and it was really funny.
--You said that you decided on the song yourself, but why did you choose this particular song?
I thought a Japanese song would be better. I usually listen to Mrs. GREEN APPLE's songs, so I chose a song with a nice rhythm.
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm.
It's a fun game, but it's also a team sport, so we'll all work hard to achieve results.
◇Reo Takeda
--This week it's a team match. What are you looking forward to?
I'll be alternating batting with Yamashita Miyu on the same team, so I'm really looking forward to it tomorrow.
--I think you played a practice round together (with Yamashita Miyu) yesterday, but did you discuss how you were going to approach the game?
I only played two holes, but I did check things out, like "I'll hit it from around here."
--How do you feel about having such fun team matches between the majors?
It's not in Japan so it will be very fresh and I hope I can enjoy it in a different way to the usual matches.
--Please tell us your enthusiasm for tomorrow.
First of all, I hope we can bring out the best in each other and play well.
◇Nasa Hataoka
--It's a team match, what are you looking forward to?
This will be the first time I'll be paired with Lauren (Coughlin), so I'm really looking forward to competing in this tournament with a new partner.
--What was the reason or trigger that you decided to work with Lauren?
Lauren also lives in Virginia, and I think she went to college there too. So, I often talk to (caddie) Greg and he gets along well, and I talk to him about a lot of things. I was planning to play with (Ko) Jin-young, but Jin-young had some issues, and we were both looking for players, so we connected well and decided to play.
Have you decided on a team name?
Lauren's L and U and Nasa's NA are Team Luna.
--What's the song like?
The song is "The Show Goes On" by Lupe Something (Fiasco), which is the same as Shohei Ohtani's entrance song. It may be different now though.
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm!
I think they are a really good team, so I'll do my best to win the championship.
◇ Hinako Shibuno
--This week's game is a team match. What are you looking forward to?
I'm really looking forward to being paired with Kacchan for the first time in a year, and since we're spending this year in the same house, I think we'll have great teamwork.
--You said you wanted to get revenge for last year, and I think you'll be able to put that experience to good use this year. What do you think?
I would like to make the most of this, so I think it would be good if we could stop worrying about each other and try not to short our putting, depending on the location.
--Katsu said he wanted to work with Hinako on choreography for the song, but what about you, Shibuno?
I haven't completely memorized it yet, but I somehow watch it on YouTube every day, so... I'll practice.
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm.
I'll fight hard over the next four days and do my best to show off my best side to Katchan.
◇Minami Katsu
--The team battle is finally here, so what are you looking forward to first?
It's usually an individual sport, but this time, two people cooperated to compete, which is something that only happens once or twice in both Japan and America, so I was really looking forward to it.
--After last year's tournament you said that you wanted to get revenge, but how do you feel you can use that experience this year?
Last year, we were both quite reserved, and we were hesitant with our putting, and we thought too much about our opponents, so we've been talking about how this time we might want to show a bit more of our own competitive spirit, so we'll be careful about that.
--Last year the team name was H&M, will it be the same this year?
That's right. But for this year's song, I chose "Bye Bye Fight" by a Japanese idol group that has become quite popular on TikTok.
--I believe you also played a practice round together, so did you discuss how to proceed on the course?
Yes, in terms of order, it's better to have someone who can hit the ball farther on the long holes. Last year, I was not good at short holes, so I decided not to hit them, but this time I'm not so bad at them anymore, and Shibuko's driver also hits the ball really far, so it doesn't matter which one I hit. I think it will be the same as last year.
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
He said he really wants to aim for victory, so I will do my best to win.
*The Dow Championship will be broadcast live every day on WOWOW. The first day (June 27th) and second day (28th) will be broadcast from midnight, and the third day (29th) and final day (30th) will be broadcast from 4am on WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand. WOWOW On Demand will also broadcast live a "camera dedicated to Japanese players" that will focus on the play of Japanese players. The first day (27th) will be broadcast from 1:20am.
