Ayaka Furue aims to become the first Japanese player to win consecutive major championships 12 Japanese players compete in the Evian Championship (Part 1)

The fourth major tournament on the LPGA Women's Golf Tour, the Amundi Evian Championship (Evian Championship), will begin on July 10th (Japan time) at Evian Resort GC in France, and will be broadcast and streamed live every day on WOWOW.

The Japanese participants include Ayaka Furue, last year's champion and the first Japanese player to win consecutive majors, Mao Saigo, who won the first major tournament of the season, the Chevron Championship, Reo Takeda, who won the Blue Bay LPGA in her rookie year, and Chirei Iwai, who won the Mexico Riviera Maya Open for the first time. Furue and the others spoke about their enthusiasm in an interview just before the start of the WOWOW broadcast. We will deliver this in two parts.

◇Ayaka Furue

--You've returned to the memorable town of Evian. How do you feel about it?

It really feels like this past year has gone by so quickly, but I think the last day, the day I won, was a very memorable practice round.

--On this course, Furue, what part do you feel is most important to master?

The tee shots are a little narrow and there are quite a few difficult ones, but you have to stay on the fairway and the course has a lot of slope, so you hit your shots along the slope, and there is quite a bit of undulation on the green, so if you can get the ball on the same level, I think the edge of the course is the easiest way to make a score.

--What about the conditions?

It's been raining and it's a bit wet at the moment, but I think it will probably clear up completely from tomorrow, so hopefully it will drier a bit more.

--Please tell us if there is anything that you have never changed, anything that you do consistently, or any routines that you have.

No. Well, I guess it's a rule that you have to practice 18 holes, and that's what you do. I don't know anything special about it.

--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm.

I hope to compete for the top spot again this year and be able to liven up the tournament again, so I hope to be able to play with confidence again in my golf game.

◇Reo Takeda

--This is your fourth major tournament. How do you feel about your performance in major tournaments so far?

I feel like I'm having a really good experience in a major league setting.

-What is your impression of Evian?

I played here for the first time last year, and my impression was that the fairways were sloping and the greens were also quite steep.

--Which hole do you think is the key?

The last three holes are difficult, both for the tee shot and the shot over the pond. The 18th hole is also a good one, so I hope I can stay focused until the end.

--Are there any routines or habits that you never change?

I don't really have a routine, but when I have a match, I run around the parking lot in the morning. I do it every morning. I started running about two years ago, as a way to get my body moving.

--Finally, please tell us about your enthusiasm and goals for this tournament.

I will do my best to play my best throughout the four days.

◇ Yuka Sasao

--How do you feel about your current situation?

It's okay.

--In what way is it okay?

Overall, we had a week off, so I think we were able to rest a little.

--The Evian course is the same every year, so what is the most important thing to keep in mind when competing?

I think it's about hitting the fairway and landing on the green, which is pretty simple.

--This is a question I'd like to ask everyone: do you have any routines or habits?

Eat well and get plenty of sleep.

--Finally, please tell us again about your enthusiasm and goals for the tournament.

I'm really looking forward to this match, and I'll do my best to be able to play on the weekend for the first time in a while.

◇ Hinako Shibuno

--This is your fourth time at Evian. What are your impressions of the tournament?

Well, the aiming point is a bit narrow and there's quite a bit of a slope, so I personally don't like it that much.

--This is your fourth major this year. How do you feel?

I had a very disappointing experience at the last KPMG (U.S. Women's Open), so I really want to fight hard for all four days here.

--Having played in the matches so far, is there anything that you feel has given you a sense of accomplishment?

It's not that bad, but I was really disappointed that I wasn't getting results in the last three weeks or so. But I don't think it's that bad either, so I guess it's just a matter of getting it all together.

--Is there a routine that you always do at every tournament?

Before practicing hitting, I might just grab a stick and stretch a bit.

--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for the tournament.

Furue's performance last year was a great inspiration to me, so I want to work hard and aim for the top as well.

*WOWOW will broadcast and stream the Amundi Evian Championship live every day. On the first day (July 10th), the first half will start at 7pm and the second half at 10pm; on the second day (11th), the first half will start at 7pm and the second half at 11pm; on the third day (12th), the first half will start at 5pm and the second half at 10:15pm; on the final day (13th), the first half will start at 5pm and the second half at 10pm. The first half of each will be on WOWOW Prime. The second half will be broadcast live on WOWOW Cinema. In addition to live streaming on WOWOW On Demand, there will also be a live stream with a "camera dedicated to Japanese players" to focus on the play of Japanese players.