As $300,000 Richer Japanese Pro Takes a Shocking LPGA Step, a 4-Year-Old Rejection Comes to the Forefront

LPGA and JLPGA’s co-sanctioned event, TOTO Japan Classic, has finally come to an end, and the title holder this year has emerged with a $300,000 bag. LPGA players like Rose Zhang were in the fray this year, but the performance of the 13-time JPLGA winner left everyone far rearward. 

After the tournament, witnessing the winner’s commendable play, the LPGA Tour offered the player an immediate admission on the US leg of the tour. Now, the reply to the offer from the winner has left everyone shocked, deeming an incident from the past coming back to life. Here’s the full story.

TOTO Japan Classic champion deliberates her future on the US LPGA Tour

In a recent press conference after her play, TOTO Japan Classic winner Mone Inami was asked about her game, conditions on the greens, and her victory. A question was posed to the golfer, who asked her about the chance to get into a new world of opportunities because of her victory. The player answered that it was in relation to her getting an immediate option to play on the US LPGA Tour. “I am very happy to get an option that I can play not only on the Japan tour but also on the US tour now,” remarked the golfer. 

Inami was in a dilemma about her choice of whether she would opt for the chance or not. She added that she would discuss the idea with her team and then make the final decision. The fans of the player had high hopes of seeing the golfer compete for the CME points, but now the chances look slim. 

The player only had time till midnight Sunday Japan local time to decide, and now the reports claim that the player has turned down the offer. The 13-time JLPGA winner now has time till 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 13 to finalize her decision of whether she will play on the LPGA Tour next year or not. 

This isn’t the first time a JLPGA player has refused to take up an offer of playing on the LPGA Tour. In 2019, Hinako Shibuno also turned down her LPGA chance, which she then had to reclaim after attending Q-School. While Inami navigates her career feats and these currents, here’s a quick glimpse at how she played at the TOTO Japan Classic. 

Mone Inami’s performance at the 2023 TOTO Japan Classic

Mone Inami secured a one-stroke victory at the TOTO Japan Classic on her home ground in Japan. The weekend play had fans speculating wins for their favorite players, but the results had everyone awestruck. 

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Inami’s game gained her a lot of praise. The player shot a 3-under 69 during the final round and finished with a 22-under 266 total. She played alongside overnight co-leaders Shiho Kuwaki and Nasa Hataoka and took the lead with a birdie on the par-5 17th hole. This win on the Japanese greens marked her 13th domestic tour victory and her first since August 2022. 

Now, as the player prepares for her next feat, what are your thoughts on her gameplay and the new opportunities that await her? Let us know in the comments. 

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