“Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first.” This stands accurate for JLPGA Star Hana Wakimoto’s career. Her sudden emergence in the golfing community has definitely turned heads, especially after the 27-year-old continues to lead after the second round of the LPGA’s Toto Japan Classic, over US’ Yealimi Noh, and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn. However, contrary to her boisterous public life, the golfer prefers privacy when it comes to her personal life…

The only connection her fans have with her is through social media, but even that medium is a carefully curated version of the Hana Wakimoto people are used to seeing. However, reports state she has two siblings—a younger brother and sister Sakura Wakimoto (who is also a golfer). The trio is very close to their father, Nobuyuki Wakimoto, and the latter’s significance in their lives was demonstrated through Hana’s heartwarming confession on Father’s Day. Wakimoto gave her father flowers as a token of appreciation for him and his three brothers, and wrote on Instagram, “Today is Father’s Day 👨🏻 I gave my father flowers as a thank you for everything from his three brothers🌻 Thanks for always coming to the games and cheering us on! From now on, I want you to take care of your body, unload your shoulders a little more, and take care of your health”.

Apart from that, she’s also close to her other family members, and especially her two-year younger sister. Hana likes to hang out with her family members ever so often. From hosting dinners to taking her mother out for shakes, and most importantly, her parents being rock-solid support during all her events, the Wakimoto family does everything together.

The golfer was born on October 4, 1997, in Kobayashi City, Miyazaki Prefecture. It makes her from a Japanese background, and she proudly flaunts her culture. She uses her strong command of the Japanese language to convey her emotions through her captions. Not only that, as far as possible, she even conducts most of her interviews in her mother language. 

While many players are renowned for their skills, gameplay, and camera presence, apart from having the perfect swing, everyone regards Hana Wakimoto as being one of the most humble players. Well, the verdict is not just by the fans, but by other Japanese Pro golfers too. Take Hideki Matsuyama for example.

He even follows the 27-year-old on Instagram. Needless to say, both the stars make the East Asian Country proud with Matsuyama taking it up a notch! 

Hideki Matsuyama becomes the first Japanese male golfer to win Majors

At the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who was leading at the turn, struggled down the stretch, bogeying five of the last nine holes to finish tied for fifth. After an interview with a Japanese reporter, he buried his head in his hands and weeping away. At the tender age of 25, the Japanese PGA Tour Pro took it on his shoulders to attempt to become the first male golfer from his country to win a major championship.

At the 2021 Masters, as Matsuyama entered the Sunday round, he already had all the adrenaline rush within him. He clearly wanted to bag the green jacket that year, no matter what. And well, he needed to absorb a 1-over 73, defeating Will Zalatoris by one shot and lifting the trophy at Augusta National in the 85th edition.

As it turns out, he was not just the first Japanese male golfer to do so but was only the first from the Asian country to win the Masters, and second to win Majors. Y.E. Yang from South Korea was the first to do so at the 2009 PGA Championship. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section below!