18 December 2025
Daisei Nakayama of Chiba Reimei High School produced three consistent rounds to win the Faldo Junior Tour Japan at Shizu Hills Country Club, finishing 14 under par after 54 holes to claim the Men’s Under 21 division and the tournament’s Overall Championship.
The event, held from 16–18 December, attracted 148 players and marked one of the largest Faldo Junior Tour gatherings in Asia this season. Played across three days at the Shizuoka prefecture venue, the tournament delivered tight finishes, playoff drama, and several breakthrough performances across all four age divisions.
Nakayama, a third-year high school student, opened with a 67 and followed with rounds of 69 and 66 to finish six shots clear of the field. His winning margin reflected both the quality of his play and the challenge presented by Shizu Hills throughout the week.
Ryota Takeda, also of Chiba Reimei High School, and Yo Ikai of Nippon Sport Science University finished tied for second at eight under par. Takeda, a second-year student, matched Nakayama’s closing 66 to secure his position, while Ikai posted steady rounds of 71-67-70.
In the Women’s Under 21 division, Nana Fujiwara of Takikawa Second High School claimed victory at seven under par. The third-year student bookended her tournament with matching 68s, navigating a mid-tournament 73 to finish six shots ahead of the field. Natsuna Sano and Aika Saito shared second place at one under, both finishing strongly after opening-round struggles.
The Boys Under 16 title went to Terumi Inaba, a first-year student at Ome City Kasumidai Junior High School, who posted rounds of 68-69-74 to finish at five under par. Masahito Ozawa of Fuchu Asama Junior High School and Hanto Sudo of Kashiwa City Sakaine Junior High School tied for second at three under, both demonstrating composure across three demanding rounds.
The Girls Under 16 division required a playoff to separate four players who finished at one over par. Audrey Tsuchiya of Renaissance High School emerged victorious, outlasting Natsuki Takahashi—a sixth-grade student from Ota Ward Iriarai 5th Elementary School—along with Shuri Teramoto and Airi Irikura, both first-year high school students. Takahashi’s closing 68 highlighted her potential, while Tsuchiya’s consistency across 71-72-74 proved decisive when it mattered.
Category winners earn invitations to the 17th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam from 22–24 April 2026, where they will compete on a Sir Nick Faldo-designed championship layout alongside qualifiers from across the region.
The strong turnout at Shizu Hills reflects growing momentum for the Faldo Junior Tour across Japan, offering young players a structured pathway into regional and international competition while maintaining the Series’ commitment to accessible, high-quality tournament golf.
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Shizu Hills Country Club
