Japanese golfers compete in Lotte Championship opening round in Hawaii

Japanese golfers competed in the opening round of the Lotte Championship at Hoakalei Country Club in Hawaii, facing challenging weather conditions including heavy rain, wind, and intense heat.

Yuna Nishimura, coming off her first LPGA Tour victory at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, shot a 71 (3 birdies, 2 bogeys) to start the tournament. Despite the physical toll of travel and weather interruptions, she expressed a sense of mental reset following her recent win.

Nasa Hataoka also opened with a 2-under par score. Beyond the competition, Hataoka participated in a junior clinic hosted by Hilton Grand Vacations, noting the high level of engagement and inquisitive nature of young golfers in the United States.

Hinako Shibuno finished the day at 1-under par with a 71 (3 birdies, 2 bogeys). While her ball striking remained strong with a high fairway hit rate, commentators noted that her putting remains a primary challenge as she fights to secure a full seed for the next season.