Two of Japan’s biggest stars lead the way after one round at the 2025 Toto Japan Classic, with Miyu Yamashita and Nasa Hataoka sitting at -7.
Hataoka, the six-time winner on the LPGA Tour is looking for her first win since April of 2022, trying to break the longest winless streak of her career. Hataoka had a bit of a chaotic scorecard, starting right off the bat. She birdied one, bogeyed two, birdied three and bogeyed four. It was more smooth sailing from there, as she made seven birdies without a dropped shot on the last 14 holes.
Hataoka hit 10 fairways, 16 greens and had just 28 putts while converting both of her sand saves. Many would consider Hataoka to be the start of the current wave of superstars from Japan. Getting a win at home would be a nice reward for a solid season that includes six top-10 finishes.
Perhaps the biggest new Japanese star, Miyu Yamashita, is tied for that -7 lead, though hers came a bit easier. Yamashita didn’t drop a single shot and had seven birdies for the day, including on the final three holes.
Yamashita is coming off the second win of her season and career last week at the Maybank Championship. She currently sits at No. 4 in the Rolex Rankings and No. 3 in the CME Standings and is the likely winner of the Rookie of the Year.
Those two certainly aren’t free of the pack being immediately followed by major champion Jiyai Shin at -6 and the Iwai Twins at -5.
