Erika Hara not only delivered on home soil but also achieved her best LPGA Tour result to date at the TOTO Japan Classic with a solo third-place finish, impressively highlighting that her leap from the Epson Tour has been a resounding success! The 27-year-old Japanese finished the tournament with an impressive 15-under 273.
What a sensational round Hara played in Omitama! After a solid start with a 70, she fired a bogey-free 65 with seven birdies. She followed up with a 68 and a final 70, totaling 19 birdies and only four bogeys. With this result, Hara secured her sixth top-10 finish in 25 starts in her rookie season – truly impressive!
Rookie Race: Hara Extends Lead
Hara is competing this season because she earned her LPGA Tour card via the Epson Tour – a victory at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic in August and a fifth-place finish in the 'Race for the Card' made it possible. And now? She leads the race for the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year! Her third-place finish is worth 75 rookie points. As Hwang finished in a tie for sixth place, Hara was able to further extend her lead before the two remaining tournaments – The Annika and the CME Group Tour Championship.
On Course for the CME Group Tour Championship
This success also propels her forward in the 'Race to CME Globe'. Hara came to Japan ranked 40th and is expected to climb to 32nd place. This puts her in a strong position to qualify for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in Naples. While Shuri Sakuma secured the win with a bogey-free 64 and a phenomenal 20-under, Erika Hara has proven with this power move that she has arrived on the big stage.
