2018 Toto Japan Classic Nov 02-04

[Argonne69]

• Race to the CME Globe: 500 Points
  
• Format: 54 holes
  
• Purse: $1,500,000
  
• Location: Seta Golf Club, Shiga, Japan
  
• Par: 72
  
• Yardage: 6,608
  
• History: This is the 46th year for the event. In 2017, Shanshan Feng held off a charging Ai Suzuki to defend her title. Shanshan shot a final round 68 to win by two shot for hers second victory of the season.
  

Coverage:

• Nov 1: Golf Channel 11:00 pm - 2:00 am (EDT)
  
• Nov 2: Golf Channel 11:30 pm - 2:30 am (EDT)
  
• Nov 3: Golf Channel 10:30 pm - 1:30 am (EDT)
  

[Argonne69]

This one is only 54 holes, and has one of the smallest purses of the year. The weather forecast calls for sunshine, but the temps are going to be very cold in the early morning (27 - 30 F), rising to the upper 50's (F) for a high. Luckily the winds will be very light.

 

The field looks decent, with 13 of the World's Top 20 in the field. Sung Hyun, Inbee, Georgia, Jessica, and Moriya are sitting this one out. The field also includes a number of top JLPGA players, including Ai Suzuki, Jiyai Shin ('08 and '10 winner), Chae Young Yoon, Rumi Yoshiba, Sakura Koiwai, Erika Kikuchi, Mamiko Higa, Mami Kukuda, Jae Eun Chung, Chie Arimura, Sun Ju Ahn ('15 winner), Momoko Ueda ('07 winner), Teresa Lu ('13 winner), and Rei Matsuda.

 

The TV broadcast times appear to be live coverage, as Shiga, Japan is 13 hours ahead of the Eastern timezone.

 

Once again, it's a tough call on the winner. Shanshan won the last two years, but hasn't found the spark on this year's Asian swing. Ai Suzuki had a strong showing last year, but has been injured a good part of this season. Minjee and Lydia both had top 5 finishes last year, and played excellent in Taiwan.

 

I'm going to pick Sun Ju Ahn, as the JLPGA players always seem to do well at this tournament. Minjee and Lydia will be in the mix.

[18majors]

Argonne69

 

I'm optimistic about In Gee's chances this week; what do you think?

The KLPGA tournament she played after her KEB Hana Bank win should've totally decompressed her; especially after that +5 final round with one triple and a double.

It's impossible to pick any player to win; but I'd surprised if she doesn't contend.

[Argonne69]

In Gee has definitely been playing some good golf lately. This tournament will be quite telling as to whether the solid play was due to a brief boost from playing at home, or the start of a longer term trend. Fingers crossed.

[ClairefromClare]

Wow--we so rarely get to see Jiyai Shin; I hope she gets some broadcast time.

 

Carlota Ciganda, Megan Khang, and Nasa Hataoka have all been hovering lately. I'll go with Carlota (like always) but would be thrilled to see Megan get her first win.

[Stooch]

LPGA has dropped the ball on the Asian swing for me this season. Not being able to watch these events live here in Canada, has made me lose much interest in the ending of the season. I check the leaderboard when I wake up, but don't really watch any shots during the event. Sadly Whan and the LPGA joke of broadcasting practices are slowly making me lose more and more interest in the women's game as every year goes by. Good for Whan getting sponsors to fill the schedule with bargain basement purses but do people actually care if they can't see it lolo

 

rant over....:)

[Golfer4Life]

Nice tournament and best toilet ever, lol...

[Argonne69]

Nice tournament and best toilet ever, lol...

 

Lol. I bet a heated seat would be wonderful in Lake Placid.

 

 

[Argonne69]

LPGA has dropped the ball on the Asian swing for me this season. Not being able to watch these events live here in Canada, has made me lose much interest in the ending of the season. I check the leaderboard when I wake up, but don't really watch any shots during the event. Sadly Whan and the LPGA joke of broadcasting practices are slowly making me lose more and more interest in the women's game as every year goes by. Good for Whan getting sponsors to fill the schedule with bargain basement purses but do people actually care if they can't see it lolo

 

rant over.... :)

 

Is the Golf Channel stream available to you in the Great White North?

 

[Stooch]

LPGA has dropped the ball on the Asian swing for me this season. Not being able to watch these events live here in Canada, has made me lose much interest in the ending of the season. I check the leaderboard when I wake up, but don't really watch any shots during the event. Sadly Whan and the LPGA joke of broadcasting practices are slowly making me lose more and more interest in the women's game as every year goes by. Good for Whan getting sponsors to fill the schedule with bargain basement purses but do people actually care if they can't see it lolo

 

rant over.... :)

 

Is the Golf Channel stream available to you in the Great White North?

No it's Geo-Blocked and the worse part is I had to pay extra to add Golf Channel to my Cable subscription, so they make money off me lol I should just drop Golf Channel out of protest, cause the main channel is easy to find in the illegal stream content but I like to pay for and support content I actually use, quite the conundrum :)

[Argonne69]

Have you tried a VPN with a U.S.-based server?

[Argonne69]

Stacy gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday. Congrats, Stacy!

[Golfer4Life]

Nice tournament and best toilet ever, lol...

 

Lol. I bet a heated seat would be wonderful in Lake Placid.

 

I could use it, lol....Our golf season is officially over.

[ChronicSlicer]

Jin Young Ko for the W. Sei Young Kim looking for a bounce back. It`s likely safe to say Ariya will be lurking as well.

[WestTex]

I'd really like to see Ryann O'Toole get her first win, though I'm not sure if she'll be able to get it done. Otherwise I'm going to have to go for the most interesting signature in golf with Nasa Hataoka. Sad to not see Ayako not in the mix this week.. We'll likely be focused on the Lydia/In Gee/Mamiko pairing, that would be a great one to follow on course.

[AWinfortheAges]

Ai Suzuki gets her 1st win since coming back from injury, edging out Nasa Hataoka, So Yeon Ryu and Pheobe Yao in a four woman playoff.

[Argonne69]

Wow, low scoring the first day. So Yeon with a sweet 65 with Nasa, In Kyung, and Jiyai one shot back.

 

Lydia, Mamiko, and Ai Suzuki are on the other end of the leaderboard, with +1 rounds. 'Very unexpected.

[ChronicSlicer]

It would be cool to have an LPGA Fantasy Golf League.

[DavePelz4]

Surprised that Lexi made the trip to play considering some of her recent sharing of her personal life. Hope she continues to play well...maybe pull out a W.

[ChronicSlicer]

Surprised that Lexi made the trip to play considering some of her recent sharing of her personal life. Hope she continues to play well...maybe pull out a W.

 

Dave perhaps you could offer her some putting advise, she looks so insecure every time she steps into a putt. She has the tools to dominate, if she could only putt and maybe control her wedge spin a bit better.

[DavePelz4]

Surprised that Lexi made the trip to play considering some of her recent sharing of her personal life. Hope she continues to play well...maybe pull out a W.

 

Dave perhaps you could offer her some putting advise, she looks so insecure every time she steps into a putt. She has the tools to dominate, if she could only putt and maybe control her wedge spin a bit better.

 

She'd be a great fit with Dave Stockton. Awesome teacher and his relaxed approach might fit well with where she is today.

[Mellow]

That leaderboard! Ok, I'm ready to call it a wrap here on day 1! Thanks for coming everyone...

 

So does Japan suit So Yeon? I could see it

[Argonne69]

Don't rule out Jiyai. I don't think she's going anywhere.

[Golfer4Life]

The course looks great. The only course I played in Japan was Hamamatsu Seaside Golf Club and it was a beauty. Japanese hospitality is amazing. I was there to visit the Cameron Museum and I played a round with a couple of members.

 

 

[postfold]

Great interview with Jiyai after her first round, sounds like she is pretty happy.

 

Go So Yeon!

[Argonne69]

Big move by Minjee with a 64, the best round of the day. So Yeon struggled with a 73. Sakura Koiwai leads the JLPGA pack 3 shots behind Minjee, with Jiyai and Nasa four back.

 

I had a hunch the JLPGA players would perform well here. 7 of the top 10 are JLPGA regulars.

 

During the first round broadcast they mention how much improvement Minjee has had this year in Driving and Ballstriking. 'No kidding. She finished 2017 ranked 35th in total driving, and 20th in ballstriking. She's currently ranked 2nd in each.

[ChronicSlicer]

 

 

I had a hunch the JLPGA players would perform well here. 7 of the top 10 are JLPGA regulars.

 

 

 

It`s nice to see the JLPGA players in action. Who are the commentators?

[Argonne69]

The broadcast crew is the same Australian crew that covers the Asian swing, Peter Donegan, Ally (Allison) Whittaker, and Kate Burton.

[ChronicSlicer]

Great win for Nasa on home soil. Boy did Minjee have a rare blowout, a 78...Jin Young and Wei-Ling with the low rounds of the day(66).

Carlota knocking on the door again, she`s had a good Asian swing.

[Stooch]

Minjee is gonna be kicking herself, but great final round round by Nasa to get the win at her Home event. Nice to see Nasa have a great bounce back after her tough rookie season.