Ji wins! China on top in historic tourney

"I'm thrilled, but anxious, for my Japan debut. Knowing the strength of Japanese players, I'll need to be at my absolute best."

The 54-hole tournament in Suzhou, held from March 20-22, featured a high-caliber field of 45 players from each tour, along with 18 sponsor invites, and a total prize purse of 25 million yen. It also marked the JLPGA's Chinese mainland debut, bringing a world-class golf spectacle to fans across the region.

Beyond the competition, the event fostered deeper ties between Chinese and Japanese players, underscoring a growing collaboration between the two tours.

During the final round, Ji and her 30-year-old Japanese playing partner, Takeuchi, exchanged simple phrases in Japanese and English — a pleasant surprise for Takeuchi.

Ji, who learned some Japanese from her mother as a child, faced early pressure as Takeuchi delivered a strong front nine. However, a series of mistakes on the back nine saw the Japanese golfer drop crucial shots, earning her a tied 11th-place finish.

"The two Chinese players in my group hit the ball really far — it's a very different style from mine," Takeuchi observed.

Though she visited China as a child, this was her first time competing in a Chinese mainland golf tournament. "The course was professional (standard), and the event was exceptionally well-organized," she said.

Despite some language barriers with her caddie, Takeuchi praised the teamwork. "The atmosphere was great," she noted.

Having played alongside Chinese golfers on the JLPGA Tour before, Takeuchi highlighted a key difference. "They are usually quite tall — I wish I were that tall too," she said with a laugh.

She was also impressed by the local cuisine. "The mapo tofu at the course was incredible. Japan has its own version, but the authentic Chinese one is definitely the best," she said.