A strong home challenge is expected at the International Series Japan presented by Moutai this week, some of Japan’s finest are in the field at Caledonian Golf Club – including one of the nation’s hottest properties, Taiga Semikawa.

Semikawa, named after the legendary Tiger Woods, created waves back in 2022 by becoming the first amateur in 95 years to win the Japan Open. In that same standout season, he also secured victories at the Panasonic Open and the Japan Create Challenge on his way to top spot in the world amateur rankings. Since then, as a professional, he has gone on to win the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup and the Kansai Open Golf Championship, both in 2023 – impressive returns for a player still in the early stages of his career, and is currently aged 24.

With Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, and LIV Golf stars including compatriot Jinichiro Kozuma of Iron Heads GC, Lucas Herbert of the all-Australian team Ripper GC and Caleb Surrat of Legion XIII, playing this week, Semikawa believes it is the perfect place to benchmark his form.

He said: “This is my first time playing in The International Series. I think it will be a great opportunity to compete with the Asian Tour and LIV golf players. I feel The International series is a big because the top players from Asian Tour and LIV golf take part, and this is a wonderful opportunity to compete alongside them.”

Taiga Semikawa. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

Semikawa has not tasted success since 2023 but the golfing prodigy is hoping a change in mindset could help this week in what is the first ever International Series event to be played in Japan..

Summing up his form, he said: “I feel that, compared to then, my mental game is lacking. In 2023 I had a sense that I could win but recently, I haven’t been feeling that way. I need to be confident in my ability to make short putts.”

The old adage ‘beware the wounded golfer’ is one to keep in mind this week, with Semikawa on the road to recovery following a fractured rib.

He is hopeful it won’t impact his game as he prepares for a 7:40am start on the 10th tee on Thursday.

“I had a fracture, but I made my comeback last week,” he revealed. “Although there was still some pain, I managed to push through and finish all four days, which was a big achievement.

“I believe I can make use of that experience and approach this week in better condition than last time.”

Regarding the challenge posed by Caledonian Golf Course, he said: “I have played on this course before during training camps and the Japan Student Championship. I think driving distance is going to be a important, but keeping the ball in the fairway is also very important.”