Nasa Hataoka, a 21-year old from Japan got off to a great start to her 2020 season, finishing tied for second at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions on January 16 and second at the Gainbridge LPGA just a week later. Her performances vaulted her to fifth in the Rolex Rankings and second for the yearlong race for Race to the Globe.
Just a few years prior, Hataoka was dominating as an amateur in Japan, winning the 2015 and 2016 IMG Academy World Junior Championship. In addition she took home the 2016 Japan Women’s Open Golf Championship, becoming the first amateur and youngest to do so on the Japan LPGA Tour. At the end of the season, Hataoka became the youngest to compete in the final stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament. Her 14th place was good enough to earn her LPGA Tour card for the 2017 season.
Playing on both the LPGA of Japan and LPGA Tour in 2017, Hataoka had an extremely buy schedule. She had much success in Japan, winning twice with a second place at the Japan Women’s Open. However, she struggled on the LPGA Tour, missing nearly half the cuts in her 17 tournaments, losing her tour card after finishing 140th on the money list. Hataoka had little difficulty earning her LPGA Tour card again, winning the Qualifying Tournament.
Her second time around on the LPGA Tour was extremely successful, making the cut in 21 of 24 events, while earning her first two victories at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship and the Toto Japan Classic. Of her 21 cuts made were 11 top-ten finishes and fifth place on the money list. Hataoka nearly won her first LPGA major, losing in a playoff to Sung Hyun Park. All told, Hataoka’s 2018 season launched her into the top ten in the world rankings
It didn’t take long for Hataoka to get into the winner’s circle in 2019, claiming the Kia Classic by three shots on March 31, 2019 after a final round of 67. At the age of 20 years and two months, she became the youngest winner on tour for the season. Although not a stellar season overall as she had in 2018, Hataoka still managed 16 cuts in 20 events, finishing 18th on the money list with just under $1 million.
Hataoka has narrowly missed out on three other titles, going 0-3 in playoffs, including a loss this year at the Diamond Resorts to Gaby Lopez and Inbee Park
With 6 wins on the LPGA of Japan Tour and 3 wins and 19 top ten finishes on the LPGA Tour, Hataoka has become one of the top contenders and one to keep an eye on moving forward this year and beyond.
