3.28.2011
09japan;golf’s future
Long-term planning is difficult when the situation
is changing daily. That’s the dilemma in which the
pro golf tours in Japan are mired after the recent disasters of earthquake, tsunami and radiation leak.
The Japan LPGA says it will resume April 15 with
the Nishijin Ladies Classic in Kumamoto, but the
next three events, including the World Ladies, the
first major of the year May 5-8, are in jeopardy because of their proximity to the Fukushima nuclear
plant. The men’s tour plans to start on schedule
April 14 in Mie prefecture, 400 miles from Fukushima and, according to Japan Golf Tour chairman
Tadashi Koizumi, the first three events will be
played as scheduled—but yuta Ikeda, a Masters
participant this year for the second time, says there
is still too much uncertainty to make that call now.
Jumbo Ozaki, who goes into the World Golf Hall of
Fame in May, says he wants tour players to donate
20 percent of what they win this year to the recovery effort—but as of now, it’s unclear how many
tournaments there will be in Japan in which players
can earn that money. Ai Miyazato, Mika Miyazato
and Momoko ueda, who are LPGA members and
played in the Kia Classic, say they will unite to raise
money for Japan’s relief effort. —Ron Sirak
JIJI PrESS/AFP/GE T Ty IMAGES
COVEr // CON TEN TS // 10 things // PGA TOur // LPGA TOur // EurOPEAN TOur // EQuIPMEN T // TIM rOSAFOr TE
