The LPGA Women's Golf Tour's CME Group Tour Championship kicked off on November 21 (Japan time) at Tiburon Golf Club in Florida, USA, and will be broadcast live daily on WOWOW. This tournament has been the final tournament of the tour since 2011, and the winner will receive the largest prize money in women's golf history of $4 million (approximately 600 million yen) and the title of "Race to CME Globe Champion."
The Japanese participants include Miyu Yamashita, who won Rookie of the Year at the US annual Rolex LPGA Awards, as well as Reo Takeda, who won in her rookie year; Akie Iwai and her sister Chirei; Mao Saigo, who won the major Chevron Championship; Nasa Hataoka, who won her seventh victory at the Toto Japan Classic; Minami Katsu; and Ayaka Furue, the largest number of Japanese players ever to compete. Ahead of the tournament, WOWOW has released interviews with the Japanese players. The interviews will be presented in two parts.
◇Miyu Yamashita
--You just won the award (Rookie of the Year) the other day, so how did it feel to stand on stage and give a speech?
It was my first time entering the venue, so it was a truly amazing sight, and I'm really happy to have received that award.
--I thought your speech was wonderful, but how did you feel after speaking with him again?
I had practiced a little, but I was still a little nervous standing in front, so I'm glad it went well.
--It's finally the final race, and I think you've done really well in your rookie year, winning two races. Did it go by quickly for you? Or did it feel like a long time?
It feels like we're already in the final round, and the year has gone by in a flash.
-Looking back on the past year, how do you feel about it?
In the first half of the season, it was quite difficult to manage my health and diet, but I got used to it a lot more in the second half and it got better.The golf course was really difficult, but I had a lot of fun conquering it throughout the year, so it made me want to do my best again next year.
--Finally, I think this is the final conclusion of the year. Please tell us your aspirations.
I want to stay under par for all four days, but first of all, I want to play well and without bogeys. I'll do my best to make the most of my playing style.
◇Reo Takeda
--You had a great rookie year, but did it feel like it went by in a flash? Or did it feel like a long time?
I feel like this is my last game, so this year has gone by really quickly.
--Can you look back on the past year?
This year I participated in the American tour for the first time, and it was a lot of fun as I was able to have a different experience than before and play in different countries, and I also learned a lot.
--Please tell us your impressions of the course for the final race.
The tee shot is quite tricky, with several holes sheltered by trees, and although the course isn't that long, there are some ponds involved. However, I think it will be a tough battle to improve, so I'll do my best to keep up.
-How do you feel about your shots and putting so far this week?
This week is going okay again, and I think it's swinging nicely.
--This will be the last week of the 2025 season, so how would you like to end this week?
This is the last game of the year, so I will do my best to play without any regrets.
◇Nasa Hataoka
--It's finally the final race, but has this past year felt like it's gone by in a flash? Or has it felt long?
I think this year felt a little long.
-Which part felt long?
My shots were pretty good at the beginning of the season, but I struggled with putting, so overcoming that was difficult. But my condition has improved dramatically since August, and I was finally able to win the TOTO (Japan Classic), so I'm happy for now.
--With Toto's victory, you will also be able to play in next year's match for Hilton, for whom you are an ambassador.
I was really disappointed that I couldn't participate this year, so I really wanted to participate, especially since I'm a Hilton ambassador and it's my home course, so I'm really happy that I'll be able to participate again next year and the year after.
--You must be very familiar with this course, but what are your impressions now that you've returned?
This year, the fairways are a little softer than usual and the greens seem a little heavier, so I think it will be good to just keep attacking the pin dead on.
--I think this week will be the last of the 2025 season. How would you like to end it?
My condition is improving, so I would like to play well over the next four days and do my best to win.
◇Akinori Iwai
You just recently finished performing at the Rolex Awards. How did it feel to be on stage?
I'm glad I worked so hard, and I feel like I need to be grateful to my team, my family, my sponsors, and the fans. I want to go there again next year, so I'll try even harder next year.
--It's finally the final race, but has this past year gone by in a flash? Or has it felt long?
I feel both ways. After all the difficulties of the past year, I can finally think of this as the final race, but at the same time, I've worked so hard all year that it feels like this is already the final race.
--This is the final race of the week, what are your impressions of the course?
It's really beautiful. The greens are beautiful, and the scenery is beautiful. I think it's a course where you can hit your tee shots with a lot of confidence, so I'm going to go for it without any fear.
--You're competing in Florida again, following last week's tournament. How are you feeling this week?
I've been feeling really good lately. Last week was pretty good too, and my swing is also good.
-How would you like to end this year?
At the end, we'll have fun as always, but we'll also try our best to play aggressively.
*The CME Group Tour Championship will be broadcast live every day on WOWOW. It will be broadcast live and streamed live on WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand from 4:00 AM on the first day (November 21st), second day (22nd), and third day (23rd), and from 3:00 AM on the final day (24th). WOWOW On Demand will also have a "camera dedicated to Japanese players" to live stream the play of Japanese players. It will start at 12:35 AM on the first day.
