Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is a 72-hole stroke-play event with no cut, a field of 78 players (roughly 43 LPGA and 35 JLPGA members), a $2.1 million purse, and a winner’s share of $315,000.
Venue and Course Details
The host is Taiheiyo Club Minori Course (952 Sanga, Omitama-shi, Ibaraki). It is a parkland-style layout designed by Shunji Kurakami (opened 2002; redesigned by Norio Honma), featuring bentgrass greens, water hazards, bunkers, and tree-lined fairways on relatively flat Kanto Plain terrain. Tournament setup is approximately 6,598 yards, par 72 (36-36). The course emphasizes accuracy and strategy over pure length, with large, undulating greens and risk-reward elements around water. It previously hosted the event in 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2023 (when Mone Inami set the 72-hole record of 266/-22).
Round 1 faced a delayed start (around 9:00 a.m. local due to overnight/early rain and course conditions) with groups teeing off from holes 1 and 10.
Weather and Course Conditions
Early-week and Round 1 conditions included rain (heavy at times pre-tournament and into the morning of Nov. 5), leading to soft/wet fairways and greens, potential preferred lies or other adjustments, and a delayed start. Temperatures were cool (mid-50s to low-60s °F / around 14–18°C), with overcast skies, light-to-moderate winds, and high humidity initially. Forecasts improved for later rounds (Friday–Sunday), with lower rain chances, more sun/partly cloudy skies, and milder temperatures. Soft conditions typically favor accurate iron play and strong short games while reducing roll-out.
Tournament History
This is a long-running co-sanctioned event (origins in the 1970s as the Japan Classic/Mizuno Classic; TOTO title sponsorship in recent years). It has alternated venues (often Seta Golf Course North or Minori) and formats (mostly 54 holes historically; 72 holes since 2022, though weather has shortened some editions). Notable history includes Annika Sörenstam’s five straight wins (2001–2005) and strong Japanese success in recent years.
Recent winners:
2025: Nasa Hataoka (201/-15, playoff win after final round washed out)
2024: Rio Takeda (201/-15, playoff)
2023: Mone Inami (266/-22 at Minori)
2022: Gemma Dryburgh (268/-20)
Earlier: Ai Suzuki (2019), Nasa Hataoka (2018), Shanshan Feng (2016–17), etc.
Past champions in the 2026 field include Nasa Hataoka (2025, 2018), Rio Takeda (2024), Ai Suzuki (2019), Mi Hyang Lee (2014), and Jiyai Shin (2010, 2008).
Field, Player Matchups, and Recent Form
The field is headlined by world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul (four LPGA wins in 2026, including the LOTTE Championship) and Miyu Yamashita (world No. 4 or so; three LPGA wins in 2026 plus strong form, including a successful Maybank Championship defense the prior week; leading Vare Trophy contention). Other notables include Shiho Kuwaki (recent AIG Women’s Open champion, newly in the world top 10), Nasa Hataoka (defending champion), Akie (Aki) Iwai, Hyo Joo Kim, Hannah Green, Rio Takeda, Shuri Sakuma, Yuri Yoshida, and a deep contingent of Japanese players who have thrived on the LPGA.
Japanese players have dominated recent editions and shown strong overall LPGA success (multiple major winners in recent seasons). Home-course knowledge, ball-striking demands of Japanese setups, and short-game strength are frequently cited advantages. Early Round 1 leaders (as of available updates) included Miyu Yamashita, Aki Iwai, and Sayaka Takahashi at -6, with several other Japanese players and Pajaree Anannarukarn near the top; Jeeno Thitikul was further back after an opening 74.
Key storylines:
Can Yamashita or Thitikul convert elite form into a win on Japanese soil? Will a home favorite or past champion (Hataoka, Takeda) prevail in soft conditions? Strong Japanese contingent vs. international stars.
The event caps the LPGA’s Asia swing and offers significant Race to CME Globe points. Soft, potentially weather-affected conditions and a no-cut format favor consistent scorers and those comfortable in Japan. For the latest leaderboard, pairings, and updates, check official LPGA or JLPGA sites, as Round 1 was in progress or recently completed at the time of available data.
