Players eye top-tier prize in Suzhou

As the Mitsubishi Electric Automation Women's Open tees off on Thursday in Jiangsu province, the 25 million yen ($168,200) tournament marks a new era in cooperation for the CLPG Tour, as it is the first co-sponsored event with the Ladies Professional Golf Association of Japan (JLPGA).

With the 54-hole tournament running through Saturday at Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club, the field features about 45 players from each tour, in addition to 18 sponsor invites.

Importantly, with most of the players in the field from the CLPG Tour, a circuit which has been providing pro golf platforms in China since 2009, and the JLPGA players mostly coming from its Step Up Tour development circuit, the tournament is offering a key incentive for those looking to raise their game to the next level.

In addition to the 4.5 million yen winner's purse, the champion also receives a spot in the field for the JLPGA Hisako Higuchi Mitsubishi Electric Ladies Golf Tournament in October, a bonus welcomed by many players competing in Suzhou this week.

"Qualifying directly for a tier-one tournament is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity, and everyone aspires to win the championship, but this course is quite challenging," said Japanese player Nao Obayashi, who is experiencing the Graham Marsh-designed Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club for the first time.

After competing on the CLPG Tour in 2019, the 25-year-old Obayashi said she was deeply impressed by the golf environment she had experienced in China, and was sure her compatriots would be as well.

"Both tours have their unique strengths. The JLPGA Tour is more convenient for me, with less time spent traveling between venues. Competing in China involves longer journeys, but the actual competition experience is very enjoyable.

"I often think, if I have the chance, I must return to China to play again."

For the JLPGA qualifying school there are two parts. Players need to go through three stages of professional tests to turn pro. For players who pass the test, there will be two more qualifying schools — five rounds of Q school in total. This weekend's champion will directly enter the final round of the professional test.

Rui Hiraoka, who finished 13th on the Step Up Tour money list last year, passed through the professional test and knows what it takes to compete in the first-tier of the JLPGA Tour after getting some starts on the circuit in 2023.

"Tier-1 tournaments have a packed schedule, extremely high physical demands and fierce competition. To finish in the top 10 you need to maintain scores in the 60s in each round," said Rui, who stated her goal this year was to finish among the leaders on the Step Up money list in order to earn herself a spot in the fifth stage of JLPGA Tour qualifying.

"Of course, I also hope to achieve a breakthrough victory this week, and secure a wildcard entry to the Hisako Higuchi Mitsubishi Electric Ladies Golf Tournament."

Zeng Liqi also welcomed the opportunity to play in a JLPGA Tour event, a circuit considered by many to be the second best to the LPGA Tour. Last year, the Nanchang teenager played full-time on the LPGA Tour in the United States, but has since lost her playing card. She now plies her trade on the Epson Tour, the LPGA Tour's development circuit.

"This opportunity is incredibly valuable for all players, especially domestic competitors. Everyone knows that the JLPGA Q school is extremely rigorous, and the tournament standards are exceptionally high," said Zeng, a four-time winner on the CLPG Tour.

"This event is co-hosted by China and Japan and features a strong field with experienced and highly skilled players — both Chinese competitors based in the US and JLPGA players. To win, the most important thing is to maintain a steady mindset."

For Shi Yuli, this week's tournament holds special significance. Her older sister, Shi Yuting, went on to play full-time in Japan after many years on the CLPG Tour, and her Chinese parents are based in the country for work reasons.

"I'm really looking forward to the tournament, especially since the winner earns direct access to JLPGA first-tier events," said Shi Yuli, who hasn't won since turning pro in 2018. She noted the competition was fierce at the JLPGA Q school, as nearly 1,000 competitors vie for just 20 spots each year.

"I already planned to enter Q school this year. Starting directly from the third stage (the final round of the annual Q school) would be a huge advantage."