What Is 2016 LPGA of Japan Tour

Overview

The 2016 LPGA of Japan Tour marked the 49th competitive season of the Ladies Professional Golf Association of Japan, the premier women’s golf tour in the country. It served as a platform for Japanese and international players to earn rankings, prize money, and qualification for global events.

Spanning from March to November, the tour hosted 38 official tournaments across various Japanese prefectures, including major championships and season-ending finals. The season emphasized both domestic talent development and international competitiveness, attracting players from South Korea, Thailand, and beyond.

• 38 official events were held during the 2016 season, making it one of the most active years in the tour’s history, with tournaments scheduled nearly every weekend.
• The total prize fund for the season reached ¥2.6 billion, reflecting a modest increase from previous years and supporting deeper player participation and higher competitiveness.
• Ayako Okamoto topped the money list with earnings of ¥136.8 million, securing the Vare Trophy equivalent for the season’s leading money winner.
• The season kicked off in March 2016 with the Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open and concluded in November with the Japan Women’s Open Golf Championship.
• The tour awarded Order of Merit points based on finishes, which determined player rankings, exemptions, and international qualification opportunities for the following season.

How It Works

The LPGA of Japan Tour operates through a season-long series of stroke-play tournaments, where players accumulate prize money and ranking points based on performance.

• Season Schedule: The 2016 tour ran from March to November, featuring 38 events, including majors like the Japan Women’s Open and the LPGA Tour Championship.
• Player Eligibility: Membership includes Japanese nationals and international players who qualify through tour school or sponsor invitations, with over 150 active members in 2016.
• Scoring Format: Most tournaments follow a 72-hole stroke-play format, with a cut after 36 holes reducing the field to the top 70 players and ties.
• Prize Distribution: Each event awards prize money, with the winner typically receiving between 18% and 22% of the total purse, distributed according to official tour guidelines.
• Ranking System: The Money List ranks players by total earnings, which influences seeding, major qualifications, and exemptions for the next season.
• International Access: Top performers gain entry to co-sanctioned events with the LPGA of Korea and LPGA of Taiwan, enhancing cross-regional competition and exposure.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2016 LPGA of Japan Tour compared to other major women’s golf tours in terms of structure and scale:

The 2016 season demonstrated the LPGA of Japan Tour’s status as one of the most active women’s golf circuits globally, trailing only the KLPGA in event count. While prize money lagged behind the U.S.-based LPGA Tour, the Japanese tour offered consistent playing opportunities and strong domestic sponsorship.

Why It Matters

The 2016 LPGA of Japan Tour played a crucial role in advancing women’s professional golf in Asia and shaping international player development pipelines.

• The tour provided a competitive platform for emerging Japanese talent, helping players like Hinako Shibuno and Yuka Saso gain experience before joining global tours.
• Strong corporate sponsorships from companies like Daio Paper and Fujitsu ensured financial stability and media visibility across national broadcasters.
• Its structure allowed for international integration, enabling players from Thailand and China to compete, thereby increasing regional golf standards.
• Success on the tour served as a stepping stone to the U.S.-based LPGA Tour, with several Japanese players earning dual membership through performance.
• The season’s depth of events offered players consistent ranking and earnings opportunities, reducing reliance on a single tournament for income.
• It reinforced gender equity in sports in Japan, promoting visibility for female athletes in a traditionally male-dominated sports culture.

By maintaining a robust schedule and competitive environment, the 2016 LPGA of Japan Tour strengthened the foundation for long-term growth in women’s golf across Asia.