Women's British Open champion Miyu Yamashita is excited for the LPGA Tour's "FM Championship"; 13 Japanese players will be competing (Part 1)

The LPGA Women's Golf Tour's "FM Championship" kicks off on August 29th (Japan time) at TPC Boston in Massachusetts, USA, and will be broadcast live daily on WOWOW. All 13 Japanese players, including Miyu Yamashita, Mao Saigo, Reo Takeda, Akie Iwai and her sister Chirei, who have all won tournaments on overseas tours this season, as well as Nasa Hataoka and Hinako Shibuno, will be competing. Ahead of the tournament's opening, WOWOW has released interviews with the Japanese players.

◇Miyu Yamashita

-This is your first time on the American tour since winning the British Open. First of all, how does it feel to be back as a major champion?

First of all, I feel relieved, and since games start again this week, I want to switch gears and do my best to improve my form.

--I think you played one game in Japan, but how did you spend your time off after that?

I was able to refresh myself a bit and practice with my father and make some adjustments, but there are still a few things I need to fix, so I'd like to be able to adjust those by tomorrow.

--The course for this tournament has some long rough holes and bunkers will likely be key, but what do you think are the key points to aiming for a high ranking?

I think the accuracy of my shots is also important, so I want to first keep the ball on the fairway and then hit my second shot firmly from the fairway. Also, the green side is difficult, so I want to play golf in a way that doesn't hit the ball too much in places where I can't miss.

--There are only a few matches left, so please tell us if there is anything you would like to keep in mind in the upcoming tournaments.

I really want to be able to compete at the top level and aim to win every game.

-Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

I would like to reduce the number of bogeys and create more opportunities.

◇Reo Takeda

--I think the course is completely different from last week's, but what is your overall impression of the course?

The bunkers are quite effective and the distance is decent, so I hope I can hit the ball exactly how I imagine it.

--It seems like the rough draft has grown quite a bit in some areas, but what do you think are the key points?

First of all, I want to make sure I stay on the fairway, and since the greens are all different sizes, I want to be able to attack the hole in a way that suits it.

--Last year, scores on this course didn't improve that much, so management was the key point, but what do you think will be the key point this year?

There are some holes that are more difficult than the Bertie battle, so I want to persevere there and do my best to take the chance when it comes.

--There are only a few games left this season, what do you want to focus on?

First of all, I will do my best to give my best in the match and hopefully play well until the end.

◇Ayaka Furue

--It's been a while since you last participated in the LPGA Tour. How have you been spending the past month or so?

I went back to Japan for a while to relax, refresh myself, and practice.

--Please tell us if there is anything you have prepared for this tournament.

I felt like I hadn't been playing good golf recently, so I practiced hard with my father and was able to identify my weaknesses.

--There are only a few games left, so please tell us if there are any areas you would like to focus on going forward.

I haven't been able to win yet this year, so I'll keep that in mind and do my best to aim for victory.

-Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

I hope I can reach the top with confidence and be myself.

◇ Hinako Shibuno

-First of all, please tell us your impressions of this course.

I didn't participate last year, so this was my first time, but it felt like a forest course, and a bit like Japan.

--The rough seems to be growing well, how do you feel about the conditions?

There are some sticky spots and some different types of rough, so I don't like the areas around the green, and I don't like the rough on the fair bay side either, so I try to avoid it if possible.

--It seems like this tournament is more about management than improving each other, how do you feel about that?

The undulations on the green can be tricky in places, so you have to carefully calculate the slope and other factors when hitting the ball. I think the players who are really good shot makers will come out on top.

--There are only a few games left, so what do you want to focus on?

Yes, I definitely want to get through the qualifiers and play for four days, and there are only two games left until the Asia (series) is decided, so I'll do my best to make sure I don't have any regrets.

◇Katsu Minami

--You'll be playing in Boston this week. How do you feel about that?

I came back to the US from Canada last week, and this is my third year here, so I feel really relieved. I've been feeling like I'm back recently, so I'm really looking forward to it. I played on this course last year too, and my shots were good, and although I didn't make many putts, I think I could have finished in the top ranks, so I have a really good image of the course.

--This will be your third consecutive game, how are you feeling physically?

I'm feeling great. I've been sleeping quite well, and I got a lot of sleep last week, so I feel like I've recovered from fatigue and am feeling great.

--This course seems to have some tight holes, so what do you think will be the key points?

If I land in the rough, it will be difficult to aim for the second shot and beyond. However, I think the greens are a little softer than last year, so if I can get it on the fairway, I think I'll have a chance for a birdie, so I hope I can land it on the fairway and aim for it.

--There are only a few games left, so please tell us if there is anything you would like to focus on from now on.

I really want to win, so I'll do my best in each game to win.

-Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

I think I'm approaching the match with a really good image in mind, so I'll focus on each shot and do my best to move up the rankings.

*The FM Championship will be broadcast live on WOWOW Prime and WOWOW On Demand from 4:00 AM every day from the first day (August 29th) to the final day (September 1st). WOWOW On Demand will also have a dedicated camera for Japanese players, live streaming content focusing on Japanese players.