What Is 2011 LPGA of Japan Tour

Overview

The 2011 LPGA of Japan Tour marked the 34th competitive season of the Ladies Professional Golf Association of Japan, the premier women’s professional golf circuit in the country. This season featured a packed schedule of 38 official tournaments, showcasing the top female golf talent across Japan and international competitors.

Running from March to December 2011, the tour emphasized consistency, performance, and national pride, with events held in major cities and resort courses nationwide. The season culminated in a tightly contested race for the money title and Player of the Year honors, highlighting the depth of skill in Japanese women’s golf.

• Ai Miyazato dominated the earnings leaderboard, taking home ¥136,740,687, the highest single-season total that year.
• The tour included 38 official events, more than most international women’s tours, reflecting Japan’s deep commitment to women’s golf.
• Miki Saeki won the most tournaments with 5 victories, demonstrating remarkable consistency and form throughout the season.
• Prize money for the tour exceeded ¥5 billion in total, with individual event purses ranging from ¥80 million to over ¥150 million.
• The Japan Women’s Open Golf Championship, held in August, was the most prestigious event and carried the largest purse of ¥150 million.

How It Works

The LPGA of Japan Tour operates as a season-long competition where players accumulate points and prize money through tournament performances. Each event follows stroke play format, and rankings are determined by official earnings and scoring averages.

• Season Duration: The 2011 tour began in March with the Daikin Orchid Ladies and concluded in December with the Ayako Watanabe Memorial Tournament. Each tournament lasted four days, typically Thursday through Sunday.
• Player Eligibility: Membership includes Japanese nationals and select international players who qualify through tour school or sponsor exemptions. Over 120 players competed in official events during the 2011 season.
• Scoring Format: All events use 72-hole stroke play, with a cut after 36 holes reducing the field to the top 60 players and ties for the final rounds.
• Prize Money Distribution: The winner of each event typically received 20% of the purse, with the remainder distributed down to 50th place, incentivizing strong finishes.
• Rankings System: The official money list determines Player of the Year, while the Performance Points Ranking influences tour exemptions and national team selections.
• Global Integration: The tour is part of the International Federation of PGA Tours, allowing players to earn world ranking points and qualify for events like the Solheim Cup.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2011 LPGA of Japan Tour with other major women’s tours during the same season:

The data shows that the Japanese tour had the highest number of events and substantial domestic prize funds, though its total purse in USD terms was lower than the American LPGA due to exchange rates. This reflects Japan’s strong grassroots support for women’s golf and high corporate sponsorship.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was pivotal in cementing Japan’s status as a powerhouse in women’s golf, both in player development and tournament organization. The depth of competition and consistent scheduling set a benchmark for other regional tours.

• The tour produced three players in the top 10 of the 2011 Women’s World Golf Rankings, including Ai Miyazato at No. 4.
• Strong performances helped Japanese golfers gain entry into LPGA Tour events and major championships worldwide.
• Corporate sponsors like Denso, Daikin, and Fujitsu maintained long-term partnerships, ensuring financial stability.
• The tour served as a talent pipeline, with young players like Lydia Ko (age 14) competing in select events.
• Television broadcasts on NHK and Golf Network Japan reached over 10 million viewers per major event.
• Success in 2011 laid the foundation for future global stars, including Nasa Hataoka and Hinako Shibuno.

Overall, the 2011 LPGA of Japan Tour was a landmark season that highlighted Japan’s enduring influence in women’s professional golf, both domestically and internationally.