Hawaii, Jan 9 (NationPress) Three promising Japanese golfers – Rikuya Hoshino, Kaito Onishi, and Takumi Kanaya – are poised to realize their dreams by debuting as members of the PGA Tour this week during the Sony Open.
Hoshino, aged 28, journeyed across the globe in 2024, competing in over 15 countries to earn his PGA Tour card through the DP World Tour Top-10. Meanwhile, Kanaya, 26, mainly played on the Japan Golf Tour, occasionally venturing to the U.S. for the Qualifying School, where he achieved a commendable third-place finish in the challenging Final Stage to secure his playing rights.
The 26-year-old Onishi, who excelled at the University of Southern California, utilized the Korn Ferry Tour in the U.S., where a top-30 finish in the season points standings enabled him to earn his first PGA Tour card in his rising career.
“As a Japanese player, it brings me immense joy to see two others joining the PGA Tour simultaneously. Their presence as competitors will serve as a strong motivation not just for me but for all of us, which is a positive development,” expressed Hoshino, who ranked ninth on the DP World Tour eligibility list last year.
Onishi, who spent most of his amateur career in the U.S., honed his skills on the Korn Ferry Tour, stating that the fierce competition will prepare him for the pressures of the PGA Tour. “For any athlete, becoming a part of the PGA Tour is always the primary goal,” said Onishi, who celebrated one victory on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024. “We are all excited to be here. This is just the start, and with continued effort and motivation to elevate each other's performance, I believe it will be fantastic.”
“The Korn Ferry Tour has a wealth of outstanding players, and it's crucial to score numerous birdies or risk falling behind. Adapting to that atmosphere was advantageous, and I believe this experience will significantly contribute to my success on the PGA Tour,” he added.
Hoshino celebrated one victory on the DP World Tour alongside six other top-10 finishes last season, feeling well-prepared to take on top competitors. “The DP World Tour offers diverse playing conditions, including long and challenging courses, and I aim to leverage this experience on the PGA Tour,” he noted. “Competing internationally has exposed me to various golfing environments, cultures, and people, and engaging with them was a refreshing experience.”
Kanaya, a former world amateur number one, is eager to kick off his journey at the Sony Open in Hawaii, taking place at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu starting Thursday. “The key difference is the abundance of opportunities to compete, and at such a high level, every tournament holds significance. I aspire to perform my best,” stated the reigning Japan Golf Tour number one.
“Playing on the PGA Tour has always been my dream... this marks the beginning. It starts here, and I’m dedicated to achieving success,” added Kanaya, who reached Stage Two of the Qualifying School based on his Japan Golf Tour ranking.
The aim for these three debutants is to maintain their playing status through 2026 while also aspiring to secure victories on the PGA Tour to join the ranks of esteemed compatriot Hideki Matsuyama. Matsuyama recently celebrated his 11th career win following a historic victory at The Sentry, where he posted an impressive 35-under.
“Over the past couple of years, I’ve gained valuable experience on the DP World Tour. Naturally, winning on the PGA Tour remains my ultimate objective,” shared Hoshino.
“Japan boasts a rich golfing heritage, and it's remarkable that not just I, but all three of us can represent Japan in this way. Competing against the top professionals on the PGA Tour is another crucial step in that journey, and I hope to inspire more players to follow our lead,” he concluded.
