Kanaya set for homecoming at ISPS HANDA Summer Golf Battle Tournament

The ISPS HANDA event continues for its second straight week with the ISPS HANDA Summer Golf Battle Tournament, billed as “Who’s the Strongest”, ready for another four days of action at the Hokkaido Brooks Country Club.

The tournament offers a lucrative prize purse of JPY 213,000,000, with the winner’s cheque worth JPY 42,600,000, attracting a strong domestic field along with quality international challengers including Australia’s Brad Kennedy, New Zealand’s Michael Hendry, and South Korea’s Song Yong-han.

Headlining the field is reigning JGTO money ranking champion and seven-time winner Takumi Kanaya, who will make his first start on home soil this week, eager to impress in front of Japanese fans.

The 27-year-old secured his playing rights on the PGA Tour following his money list triumph and is ready to use his global experience to his advantage as he readies himself for a special week in Hokkaido.

Speaking ahead of his return to Japan, Kanaya shared: “I’m happy to be back. I was able to meet up with friends and take it easy after the last event, though I kept playing golf even in the heat because I love the game. Toward the end of the season, I felt like my play was improving, and I’ve been focused on growing day by day. With eight Fall Series events still to come, I want to build momentum here in Hokkaido.”

Reflecting on his recent PGA TOUR experience, where he made 13 starts and missed the cut at seven events, Kanaya added:

“It was really fun to compete in the U.S. Of course, missing cuts and having free weekends is frustrating, but I learned the importance of continuing to grow every day. I really want to play on the PGA TOUR again next year, so now is the time to give it my all. Playing back in Japan is special, and I hope the results will show.”

Kanaya will launch his title bid alongside fellow JGTO heavyweights Ryo Ishikawa and Yuki Inamori, with the trio teeing off their opening round at 7:45am (local time) from the 10th tee.

Ends.