Legacy is a mind-blowing aspect of life. The path you take has major ramifications based on who has trodden down the same route. When Kensei Hirata won the Panasonic Open last year, he became the third youngest Japanese golfer to register four wins in a year at 23 years and 287 days. The only ones younger are Ryo Ishikawa (18 years and 17 days) and Hideki Matsuyama (21 years and 279 days). He felt overwhelmed having achieved this, “I’m from Ryo’s generation, and I’ve always watched him do well. No matter how many times I get congratulated, it’s always a very emotional feeling.” 

The 24-year-old, born on November 26, 2000, in the city of Suita of Osaka Prefecture in Japan, acquired a base in the sport due to the help of his relatives who were teaching professionals. His time at school and university molded the young Hirata into the professional he is today.

Life at Osaka for Kensei Hirata

In only his second year at Osaka Gakuin University High School, Hirata won the Kansai Amateur tournament. This was after he had won the Nikkan Amateur tournament 2 years before while competing against adults. Post his schooling, the Japanese golfer joined the Osaka Gakuin University in 2019.

During his third year at the University, Hirata won the Japan Student Tournament and decided to turn professional in 2022 while still studying at the university. Hirata’s time at the University was something he really enjoyed since he got to make a lot of good memories.

He graduated from the university in 2023 and shared a heartfelt post dedicated to his blissful 4-year period. “Best 4 years, best peers! Best memories of my life! Again, thank you so much to those involved! Always be grateful and will work hard on another stage,” the golfer wrote.

The young Japanese golfer is so much more than just his clubs. He has a full life beyond the course, mostly surrounded by his loving pets.

Hirata’s life off the course

Kensei Hirata’s love for dogs is pretty evident from his social media posts. Although the young golfer remains private about major parts of his life, he loves spending the downtime he gets with his canine friends. He has two dogs, PuPu, and ViVi. The golfer hilariously calls himself a “complete parental dummy,” since one time he specially flew back home to see his furry friends even during back-to-back games.

As per the Hirata, “the most happy way” to spend a day off is with his dogs. He loves going on walks with them. Additionally, he is fond of food, beaches, and watches. A glimpse reel of 2023 on his Instagram feed is a testament to it.

The young golfer is affiliated with ELECOM, a computer hardware manufacturer based out of the Chuoku region in the Osaka Prefecture of Japan. He also has sponsorship deals with ACN Group and Airtrip Corporation. Oakley and Hyperice are the sports brands associated with Kensei Hirata.

He has been remarkably successful in his short career, having won 6 Japan Golf Tour Tournaments in two years. Hirata has amassed more than 200 million Yen as prize money so far.

Kensei Hirata’s record-breaking Japan Tour success

He had the outstanding achievement of winning three tournaments in a month, an outstanding feat that has not been done since 2001. It all started when he won the Fujisankei Classic in the first week of September. It was then followed by the Shinhan Donghae Open in the second week.  For his third win of the month, he was unstoppable at the Panasonic Open. Hirata is also the youngest Japan PGA Championship Winner since World War II with a score of 11 under par. This was also his first major in the Japan Golf Tour.

Hirata has featured in the PGA Tour on occasion. The Japanese youngster has made a total of 5 PGA Tour tournament appearances, including competing in The Open Championship in 2023 where he missed the cut after scoring a +14 after two rounds. His best-ever finish in the Tour came in the 2023 ZOZO Championship. He finished a brilliant T6 with a score of 6 under par registering his first Top 10 finish in the Tour.

Hirata was also in the running to earn a PGA Tour Card for the 2025 season when he took part in the PGA Tour Q-School presented by Korn Ferry at the end of the 2024 season. The one-time Asian Tour tournament winner finished T8 with a score of 2 under par, barely missing the cut. Speaking of which he said, “Yeah, definitely tough missing out (at Q-School), but again, I was able to learn from that experience. Just playing different places around the world, learning different grasses, different conditions, have really helped me today, so I was able to take that and put it into play this week and have a good result.”

The youngster did qualify to compete in the US lower tour for 2025 and he had declared that he will be taking part in the same. Golf fans should get familiar with Kensei Hirata. Because if history, is any indicator, the young Japanese pro is destined for greatness. Do you think we are going to see a lot more of him in the coming years?