The Shigeo Nagashima INVITATIONAL Sega Sammy Cup is set to make a triumphant return as the 18th edition of the tournament commences Thursday at the North Country Golf Club in Chitose City, Hokkaido.
This marks the first time in four years that the ¥150,000,000 event will be held in its customary fashion.
Related: Experience prevails over youth with Hideto Tanihara’s 18th JGTO win
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event could not be held in 2020. When it returned in 2021, it was played behind closed doors.
Last year, although the situation had significantly improved, there were still limitations on attendance numbers.
Now that the event is back in full swing, Sega Sammy Group, the tournament organiser, has adopted the tagline “Creating Inspirational Experiences – Making Society More Energetic and Colorful” for the event.
The goal is to expand its entertainment business in various fields through the hosting of the Sega Sammy Cup.
The Sega Sammy Group has introduced several initiatives to enhance the enjoyment of golf for the local community of Chitose City, golf enthusiasts, and first-time golf spectators.
One of the main highlights of the week will be the transformation of the North Country Golf Club’s renowned and challenging par-three 16th hole into an entertainment viewing area known as “The Monster 16.”
Not only will music be played at the DJ booth to enhance the ambience at the stadium-style spectators’ hall, but there will also be an emcee on stage to host the event.
To add excitement to the competition on the final day, a whopping ¥7,000,000 reward is up for grabs for those who can conquer the “Monster 16” by scoring a hole-in-one.
In the event, there are multiple winners, the prize money will be shared among them equally.
The tournament will feature a total of 150 players, with defending champion Hiroshi Iwata aiming for his third victory.
Last year, the 42-year-old secured a 19-under-par 269 total, winning by a margin of two strokes over Tomoharu Otsuki. His first victory came in 2015.
Iwata, who already claimed his first title at The Crowns in April, can expect tough competition from Keita Nakajima and Takumi Kanaya, the top two money leaders on the JGTO tour, as well as former champions Hideto Tanihara and Ryo Ishikawa.
Hideto Tanihara, buoyed by his recent victory at the JAPAN PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP by Sato Syokuhin, aims to carry his momentum into this week as he seeks to reclaim the Sega Sammy Cup, a tournament he last won in 2016.
Meanwhile, Ryo Ishikawa will challenge Iwata in an attempt to become the first three-time winner of the event. Ishikawa previously won in 2014 and 2019.
Taiga Semikawa, already a three-time winner in just 15 JGTO starts, will certainly enter the week as one of the top contenders, along with Shaun Norris of South Africa and Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines.
