Nasa Hataoka is excited about the LPGA "Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship," which she has won twice in the past.

The LPGA Women's Golf Tour's Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship kicked off on September 20th (Japan time) at Pinnacle CC in Arkansas, USA, and will be broadcast live daily on WOWOW. Previously, Japanese players have won the tournament, including Ai Miyazato in 2012 and Nasa Hataoka in 2018 and 2021, and it is known as a tournament that suits Japanese players well. This year, all 13 members of this season's tour will be participating, including Hataoka, Miyu Yamashita, Mao Saigo, Reo Takeda, Akemi Iwai, and her sister Chirei. Ahead of the tournament's opening, WOWOW released an interview.

◇Nasa Hataoka

--You've won on this course twice before, how does it feel to be back here again?

I remember all the different feelings I had at that time, and I feel a strong desire to win again.

--It's a birdie battle every year, but how is the course condition this week?

It rained yesterday, so the fairway was soft in places, and the greens were also quite soft, so even with a mid-iron the ball would spin back a little, so I think I'll have to aim dead on at the pin.

-Will you be able to manage your shots by aiming for tight pins?

That's right, since the ball doesn't roll, I want to rush in as much as possible, especially in places where I'm not receiving it. That said, it's faster from above, so I want to create as many opportunities as possible.

-Which do you think will be the most important?

As expected, the tee shots still feel a bit narrow in some places, but I think my iron shots are gradually improving, so I hope I can continue to do so well.

--So, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week's three-day tournament.

Every year we try to improve, so I'll do my best to aim for 20 under par.

◇Miyu Yamashita

--You played good golf last week (finished in 4th place). How are you feeling? I feel like I'm in pretty good shape.

--I've heard that the course is wet due to the rain, but how is the condition of the course?

That's true to some extent. The bottom is loose, or rather the conditions are good, but I think that also makes it easier to stop.

--You all work together to improve every year, but what do you think are the key points?

I don't think you can compete at the top or improve your score unless you play aggressive golf, so I think precision in that area is important.

--This week has been going well. Please tell us your enthusiasm.

It's been a while since we've had a three-day tournament, so I'd like to get off to a good start from the very first day.

◇Mao Saigo

--There's a three-day tournament this week. What are your impressions of the course?

This year, the conditions are generally soft on both the fairways and greens, and the greens are slow, so I get the impression that it will be a game of stretching the ball.

--Last year there were some areas where the grass was bald, but how is it this year?

It feels like the grass has grown evenly this year, and the grass on the teeing grounds is long and soft, so it feels different from last year.

--You mentioned that you're trying to improve each other, but what do you think will be the key points to moving up the ranks?

I really want to make sure I don't miss any shots on the long holes, and there are some short par 4 holes, so if I can get some birdies on the holes where I can hit with a wedge, I think I'll be able to rack up more birdies.

--There are only a few games left, so please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

I had a good result last year and have a good impression of this course, so I hope to play well this year as well.

◇Reo Takeda

-What kind of attack are you thinking of?

Compared to a four-day tournament, the final round only lasts one day, so I want to attack as much as I can over the three days.

-Do you think this short course will be a key point?

There are few holes where you need to use a driver for the tee shot, so I think it would be best to place the ball on the fairway where you have made a good cut and hit it from the second fairway.

--I heard that the greens have become softer due to the rain. How is the course condition?

The greens are pretty easy to stop the ball on and the fairways are soft, so I hope I can take that into account when hitting the ball.

--There's not much time left this season, so please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

I will continue to focus on my own game this week as well.

◇Akemi Iwai & Chirei

-What do you think is the key point?

Akemi: This week I'll be hitting the ball all the way to the pin, and there will be some greens with a bit of run, but if I can keep the ball on the same level, I think I'll be able to get a lot of birdies.

Chirei: The green has a lot of undulations, so I think it's all about putting the ball on the fairway with your tee shot and then getting it as close to the pin as possible with your second shot.

--I think there are some holes where you don't need to use a driver, so how do you manage that?

Akemi: There are holes where trees get in the way when you stand up to take the tee shot, but I want to swing my driver aggressively without being too afraid, and of course I want to do so while managing my shots.

Chirei: The 13th hole is a little narrower, so I feel like I want to aim for it, but I have to hold back a little. It's going to be a battle of extending the shot, but I think it's important to manage it properly and keep it on the fairway.

--The tournament will last for three days. Please tell us your enthusiasm.

Akemi: I will do my best to win at my own pace.

Chirei: I want to enjoy playing my own golf.

◇ Hinako Shibuno

--There's a three-day tournament this week. What do you think?

It's a good course and it's hot, so it's not easy (laughs). I'm practicing while sweating profusely.

--It seems like there will be a mutual effort to improve each other, what do you think?

This is a course where scores are determined every year, so it's only three days long and you have to work hard from the first day or you'll fall behind.

--What do you think is necessary to get birdies and move up the rankings?

I think I have no choice but to attack without retreating. I think I need to make sure I get within 5 meters. I really have nothing to lose, so I want to attack with all my might.

--Please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

I'll do my best to get lots of birdies.

*The "Walmart NW Arkansas Championship" will be broadcast live on WOWOW Prime and WOWOW On Demand from 5:00 AM on the first day (September 20th) and second day (21st), and from 4:00 AM on the final day (22nd). WOWOW On Demand will also have a "camera dedicated to Japanese players" and will provide live coverage focusing on the play of Japanese players. The "camera dedicated to Japanese players" on the first day will be streamed from 10:00 PM on the 19th.