Tokyo, Japan: Having surpassed her own expectations with an imperious victory in the 65th Japan Women’s Amateur Championship, Sakura Torii is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Ayaka Furue.
With a four-day total of 14-under-par 274 at Abiko Golf Club, Torii swept to a stunning five-stroke triumph from Shinchi Mamika.
“The Japan Women’s Amateur is the biggest title for amateurs. I never thought I would be able to win, so I can only say that I’m happy,” said Torii, who turned 17 in January.
As well as having the distinction of being the only player in the field to break 70 in all four rounds, Torii’s triumph enabled her to soar 419 places in the World Amateur Golf Ranking – from 484th at the start of the week to 65th.
With her victory, Torii has qualified to play in September’s Japan Women's Open Championship. She’ll also be exempt from the first and second qualifying rounds of the Japan LPGA Tour’s professional test, which she described as her ‘biggest goal this year’. The final test is scheduled for October.
Success there would be another stepping stone for Torii as she bids to join compatriot Furue, her role model, on the LPGA Tour.
Tied 15th after an opening 69 at Abiko Golf Club, a 68 on day two saw Torii rise into a share of fourth place. With a second successive 68, she finished the third round in solo second place, two shots behind pace-setting Yuka Yamamoto.
While Yamamoto struggled to a 79 that saw her slip to joint fourth, Torii showed no outward signs of nerves, adding a closing 69 to claim the biggest win of her career.
She said: “I was not paying attention to the play of the others (in my group). But when I looked at the (carrying) scoreboard after the 16th hole, I saw that the gap had widened, so I was relieved and told myself not to let my guard down.”
Torii, who placed third in the 2023 Japan Junior Championship, said having played in a handful of professional tournaments helped her to cope with the stress and pressure.
She said: “I’ve been able to experience the unique tension and the reactions of the crowds and I think that’s helped me grow mentally. In the past, when I felt pressured, I would think: ‘I don’t want to do this’. But now I feel like going for it.”
Torii had special praise for the calming influence provided by Suzuki Himeru, who had volunteered to be her caddie. “Even when I made a bogey, I was able to talk a lot with her and not get negative, and I was able to have fun with a smile,” she said.