Six Japanese players set to fly the flag at The 153rd Open

Hideki Matsuyama, Rikuya Hoshino, Shugo Imahira, Mikiya Akutsu, Riki Kawamoto and Takumi Kanaya will be part of the elite field at The 153^rd Open when the year’s last major gets underway on Thursday.
 
All eyes will be on Matsuyama, who started 2024 in spectacular fashion with a record-breaking 35-under-par performance at The Sentry in Hawaii – securing his 11th PGA Tour title in the process. 
 
The 2021 Masters champion, and Japan’s first male major winner, will look to add the Claret Jug to his already historic resume. His best finish at The Open came in 2013 at Muirfield, where he tied for sixth.
 
Making his fifth consecutive Open appearance, Hoshino returns after a strong 2023 campaign on the DP World Tour. Although he’s yet to make a deep run at The Open, with a tied-60^th finish at Royal Liverpool as his best result, the six-time JGTO winner continues to grow in experience and resilience.
 
Imahira will be making his fourth appearance at The Open, earning his spot with a victory at the Japan Open on the JGTO last year. While he’s still chasing his first made cut in the championship, the seasoned campaigner, who holds 10 JGTO titles, remains one of Japan’s most consistent performers.
 
Reigning JGTO money ranking winner Takumi Kanaya returns for his fifth Open appearance, having secured his place through the International Federation Ranking List, which rewards top players from the Japan Golf Tour, Asian Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, and Sunshine Tour. 
 
Like Imahira, Kanaya will aim to break through and make the weekend rounds for the first time.
 
Akutsu, making his Open debut, is preparing himself mentally for the unique challenge of links golf at Royal Portrush. The 30-year-old earned his spot with a commanding four-shot win at the Mizuno Open, part of the Open Qualifying Series (OQS).
 
“This is a course that you would never experience in Japan,” said Akutsu. “The course design, the wind, the firmness of the ground, the design of the bunkers—everything is new to me. I feel like I have to think really hard, two or three times more than I usually do.”
 
Akutsu admits nerves will be a factor when he steps onto the first tee: “I’m sure I’ll be nervous for the tee shot on the first hole tomorrow, but I’ll try to start as well as I usually do. The first hole in particular will be key, so I want to focus on getting through it well.”
 
Joining him is Kawamoto, who made his major debut at the 2023 U.S. Open. Kawamoto secured his maiden Open appearance with a runner-up finish at the Mizuno Open, also via the OQS.
 
"I’m in much better shape this time compared to the U.S. Open, and my game is in great form, so I’m really looking forward to the week here. Playing at Oakmont was an incredible experience, and now I’m feeling confident and aiming to play my best," said Kawamoto.

 Ends.