The LPGA Toto Classic in Shiga, Japan is off to a thrilling start as hometown hero Hana Wakimoto set the course ablaze with a bogey-free 9-under par 63 in the opening round. The 27-year-old rising star’s stellar performance tied the Seta Golf Course record and gave her a two-shot lead over a star-studded field.
Wakimoto, who has been making waves on the JLPGA Tour, brought her A-game to the challenging layout, carding nine birdies and showcasing her precision ball-striking and deft touch around the greens. Her round was a masterclass in consistency and course management, as she navigated the undulating fairways and lightning-fast greens with aplomb.
Chasing Pack Features Major Champions and Rising Stars
Hot on Wakimoto’s heels is a formidable group of challengers, led by world No. 1 Jin Young Ko of South Korea. Ko, a four-time major champion, fired a 7-under 65 to sit alone in second place. The 27-year-old superstar is no stranger to success in Japan, having won the 2019 Toto Japan Classic.
A quartet of players are tied for third at 6-under par, including Swedish sensation Linn Grant, who has been making noise in her rookie season on the LPGA Tour. Joining Grant at 66 are Japan’s own Ayaka Furue, Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim, and American Jenny Shin.
Wakimoto’s Winning Formula: Precision and Confidence
For Wakimoto, the key to her record-tying round was a combination of precise ball-striking and unwavering confidence. “Recently my ball striking has been very good, so I have been confident and I could attack the pins today,” she said after her round. That confidence was on full display as she peppered the flags and rolled in putt after putt on Seta’s slick greens.
I felt like I could birdie every hole out there. My iron play was dialed in and I gave myself so many good looks. It’s an amazing feeling to play with that kind of freedom and trust in your swing.
Hana Wakimoto
Seta Golf Course: A True Test of Skill
The Seta Golf Course, located in the scenic Shiga prefecture, is known for its challenging layout and undulating greens. At 6,659 yards, it’s not an overly long course by modern standards, but it demands precision and course management to navigate its strategically placed bunkers and water hazards.
The course has hosted numerous professional tournaments over the years, including the LPGA’s Toto Japan Classic from 2017-2019. In 2019, Taiwan’s Teresa Lu set the previous course record of 9-under 63 en route to a runner-up finish behind Jin Young Ko.
Big Names Lurking on the Leaderboard
While Wakimoto and Ko set the pace on day one, there are plenty of big names within striking distance heading into the second round. Australia’s Minjee Lee, a two-time major winner, carded a 5-under 67 to sit four shots off the lead. Canada’s Brooke Henderson, who has won twice on the LPGA Tour this season, posted a solid 2-under 70.
Other notable players in the mix include:
- Yuka Saso (Japan): 4-under 68
- Lexi Thompson (USA): 3-under 69
- Lydia Ko (New Zealand): 3-under 69
- Hinako Shibuno (Japan): 2-under 70
Stage Set for a Thrilling Finish
With Wakimoto leading the way and a host of top players in hot pursuit, the stage is set for an exciting weekend at the LPGA Toto Classic. Can the hometown hero hold off the charge from Jin Young Ko and company? Or will one of the tour’s established stars steal the show?
One thing is certain: the final three rounds at Seta Golf Course are sure to provide plenty of fireworks as the best female golfers in the world vie for the title. With national pride on the line and valuable points up for grabs in the season-long Race to the CME Globe, expect the intensity to ratchet up as the tournament reaches its climax.
For Wakimoto, a win on home soil would be a career-defining moment and a testament to her rapidly growing stature in the game. But to achieve that dream, she’ll have to fend off a world-class field and navigate the pressure that comes with leading in front of an adoring home crowd.
As the sun sets on an exhilarating first round in Shiga, golf fans around the globe will be eagerly anticipating the drama and excitement that awaits in the days ahead. Will Hana Wakimoto etch her name in the history books with a wire-to-wire victory? Or will one of her rivals mount a charge and steal the spotlight?
One thing’s for sure: the LPGA Toto Classic is shaping up to be a tournament for the ages, and you won’t want to miss a single shot. Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride as the best in the world battle it out on the lush fairways and lightning-fast greens of Seta Golf Course. The fireworks are just getting started in the Land of the Rising Sun!
