Yamaha Ladies Open Katsuragi 2026

Around the age of six, I started playing golf after meeting a woman at a park where I often played, and I discovered how enjoyable it was. When I was in first or second grade of elementary school, I watched a professional golf match for the first time and was captivated by the allure of athletes, which made me want to become a professional myself.
Golf isn't always a game where you're in top form, so even when you're playing poorly, you have to accept it as "that's golf." Also, it's a sport where one shot can make a big difference in prize money, so the pressure is immense, but I feel like I'm enjoying that tension as well. Because so many people are supporting me, I want to show them my best play and I cherish the feeling of wanting to repay the kindness of those who have supported me this far.
This year's Yamaha Ladies tournament has high point values ​​and is a challenging course, but I want to enjoy the difficulty and do my best to aim for a high ranking.
I hope that all students will pursue their dreams and see through to the end what they have decided to do.
(Ichika Morigaki, 3rd year student at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies)

I started playing golf when I was six years old because my father played it as a hobby, and I wanted to play it with him. I also watched women's professional tournaments on TV on weekends, and gradually I became engrossed in golf. Even back then, I vaguely wanted to become a professional, but when I participated in a professional tournament in my second year of junior high school and experienced a disappointing defeat, I decided I wanted revenge and began seriously aiming to become a professional golfer.
I think the appeal of golf lies in being able to compete with players of various generations who share the same goals. Also, Yamaha has supported me with clubs from my amateur days through my second year as a professional, and I feel they are an indispensable presence in my life.
Golf is a full-body workout that's good for your health, and since you do a lot of walking during a round, it also helps you build physical fitness. Furthermore, the opportunity to expand your network through interaction with others is another attractive aspect. I hope that students will get to experience even a little bit of the enjoyment of golf.
(Ichika Morigaki, 3rd year student at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies)

Influenced by my father, I started going to golf driving ranges and began playing golf seriously around the age of eight. As I continued practicing, I began to consider becoming a professional golfer around my second or third year of high school, when I started thinking about my future. Since I didn't have anything else I wanted to do, I decided to make a living from golf, which I had worked so hard at.
Since turning professional, the greatest joy for me has been receiving comments from fans saying things like, "You give me energy," and it's become my daily motivation.
The Yamana Course at Katsuragi Golf Club, where this tournament is being held, is extremely challenging, and I feel that it strongly reflects the distinctive style of its designer, Seiichi Inoue. Today, the wind is strong and the conditions are tough, but I will try my best to play carefully, one hole at a time, and accumulate birdies. Also, Yamaha, the sponsor of the tournament, is a company I have been familiar with for a long time, and I feel honored to be able to participate in their tournament.
Finally, a message to all the students: University life can be fun, but it can also be challenging. I hope you'll approach it with a positive attitude, believing that "everything will work out."
(Mina Hiraoka, 3rd year student at Doshisha University)

I started playing golf after accompanying my father to the driving range, influenced by him. I participated in the national tournament during junior high school, but I didn't achieve the results I wanted. After that, I went on to Saitama Sakae High School and dedicated myself to practicing in the golf club. Although we weren't in the same grade, I admire Ayaka Tanaka, who is an upperclassman at the same high school. I think her playing style, which makes the most of her height, and her aggressive approach are very cool.
The course for this tournament is extremely difficult, and every winner is a highly skilled player. That's why I would feel incredibly honored to win this tournament.
When I think of Yamaha, I have a strong image of pianos and motorcycles. The piano in the clubhouse was also very cool, and I thought, "I wish I had one at home!" (laughs).
Students, you may face difficulties in your studies and club activities, but even if you don't reach your goals, those experiences will definitely be valuable in the future. Please don't give up and keep trying.
(Mina Hiraoka, 3rd year student at Doshisha University)

My grandfather ran a driving range, so I grew up in an environment where I was naturally exposed to golf from a young age. When I was in the third grade of elementary school, I joined a training institution called Sakata Juku and started playing golf seriously. Since then, I have been practicing every day with the goal of becoming a professional golfer. There have been tough times, but I love golf more than anything, and I have continued with the belief that "golf is all I have."
Golf is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults. Since you don't always do well, the joy of playing well is especially rewarding.
I won the Yamaha Ladies tournament 14 years ago, and I'm very happy that I was able to achieve a good result on such a strategically challenging course. I'm grateful to have been able to participate again this time.
Finally, to everyone who is working hard towards their dreams and goals: There will be times when things don't go well, but please don't get too discouraged and keep moving forward with a positive attitude.
(Ichika Morigaki, 3rd year student at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies)

I became interested in golf because my father and sister played it, and I started playing naturally. There wasn't one particular trigger, but I thought, "It would be good to have something I can dedicate myself to seriously," and that's how I decided to aim to become a professional.
Golf isn't a sport where the best player wins every time; it's a sport with huge fluctuations in performance. I think that difficulty is part of what makes golf so appealing. It's also rewarding when people tell me things like, "I saw you on TV," or "That was great," when I've done well, and it's a moment when I realize that my play is making an impact on someone.
The Yamaha Ladies tournament venue is a place full of memories for me, as it's where I took the qualifying tournament (QT), and every time I visit, those memories come flooding back.
I hope all students will have clear goals for the future and work hard to achieve them through their studies. At the same time, please cherish your student life, which you only get to experience now, and do your best to balance both.
(Ichika Morigaki, 3rd year student at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies)

Because my father played golf as a hobby, and there was a driving range nearby where my grandfather worked, golf was a familiar part of my life from a young age. After I started playing, my performance improved as I participated in junior tournaments, and with many rivals among my classmates, I naturally began to aim to become a professional golfer.
I believe the appeal of golf lies in the fact that people of all ages can play on the same field. The ability to compete across generations, which is difficult in other sports, and the fact that it can be enjoyed for a long time are major attractions. I also feel that meeting and interacting with various people through golf is another appealing aspect.
Yamaha, the organizer of this event, had pianos and motorcycles on display in the clubhouse, which was a new discovery for me, making me think, "Yamaha makes things like this too!"
Since I didn't go to university, I really long for university life. Of course, it's important to work hard for the future, but I hope you'll enjoy the time you have now to the fullest.
(Mina Hiraoka, 3rd year student at Doshisha University)