A strong home challenge is expected at International Series Japan presented by Moutai, with some elite-level Japanese players in a field featuring rising stars from the LIV Golf League and the cream of the Asian Tour.
Taiga Semikawa created waves back in 2022 by becoming the first amateur in 95 years to win the Japan Open. In the same standout season, he also secured victories at the Panasonic Open and the Japan Create Challenge on his way to top spot in the world amateur rankings.
Semikawa has since gone on to win the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup and the Kansai Open Golf Championship, impressive returns for a player still in the early stages of his career aged just 24.
International Series Japan presented by Moutai gives Semikawa a chance of a high-profile victory in the LIV Golf-backed Asian Tour tournament.
With a strong field including local favourite Ryo Ishikawa, and LIV Golf stars including compatriot Jinichiro Kozuma of Iron Heads GC, Lucas Herbert of the all-Australian team Ripper GC and Caleb Surrat of Legion XIII, Semikawa believes it is the perfect place to benchmark his form. He is looking forward to making his debut on the series, which offers players a pathway onto LIV Golf League through the end-of-season Rankings race.
He said: “This is my first time playing in The International Series, I think it will be a great opportunity to compete with the Asian Tour and LIV golf players. I feel The International series is a big tournament because top of players from AT and LIV golf take part in, and this is a wonderful opportunity to compete alongside top players.”
Semikawa has not tasted success since 2023. The golfing prodigy originally named after the legendary Tiger Woods is hoping a change in mindset could help this week at the Caledonian Golf Club in the Chiba prefecture.
Summing up his form, he said: “I feel that, compared to then, my mental game is lacking. In 2023 I had a sense that I could win but recently, I haven't been feeling that way. I need to be confident in my ability to make short putts.”
The old adage ‘beware the wounded golfer’ is one to keep in mind this week, with Semikawa on the road to recovery following a fractured rib.
He is hopeful it won’t impact his game as he prepares for a 7:40am start on the 10th tee on Thursday.
“I had a fracture, but I made my comeback last week,” he revealed. “Although there was still some pain, I managed to push through and finish all four days, which was a big achievement.
“I believe I can make use of that experience and approach this week in better condition than last time.”
Regarding the challenge posed by Caledonian Golf Course, he said: “I have played on this course before during training camps and the Japan Student Championship. I think driving distance is going to be a tip, but keeping the ball in the fairway is also very important.”
International Series Japan presented by Moutai takes place from 8 – 11 May. Tickets for all four days are available here, with complimentary tickets on Thursday and Friday: https://webket.jp/pc/ticket/index?fc=80130&ac=9000
The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf. It consists of 10 elite tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour and offers the year-long Rankings leader promotion to the LIV Golf League
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