Who Is Rikuya Hoshino? All You Need to Know About 27-Year-Old Japanese Pro

In the golf world, where precision meets passion, Rikuya Hoshino has emerged as a trailblazer. Hoshino’s journey is not inspirational just for his country but for the global golfing community. The golfer was born on May 12, 1996, in Ibaraki Province, Japan. His journey to becoming a golf sensation began at the age of six after he sought inspiration from his father’s love for the sport.

Rikuya Hoshino’s early career

Hoshino’s path to professionalism took a significant leap in July 2016, following his victory at the Japan Amateur Championship. The 27-year-old wasted no time making his mark on the Japan Challenge Tour and clenched the Novil Cup in April 2017. His ascent continued as he transitioned to the main Japan Golf Tour where he secured his first victory at the Fujisankеi Classic in September 2018. In the same year, he got the chance to compete at the US Open but unfortunately missed the cut.

Hoshino’s journey unfolded in 2019 when he claimed his second Japan Golf Tour title at the Dunlop Srixon Fukushima Open. Notably, he also achieved podiums in the Japan PGA Championship (3rd place) and the RIZAP KBC Augusta, where he finished in the second position. Breaking into the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking marked another milestone for the budding golfer in 2019. The year 2020 saw Hoshino successfully defend his Fujisankеi Classic title.

In 2021, he competed in three majors: the PGA Championship, the US Open, and the Open Championship. He secured a commendable 26th finish at the U.S. Open but, sadly, missed the cut in the other two. A breakthrough in 2021 followed, with Hoshino claiming two major Japan Golf Tour titles: the Kansai Open Golf Championship and the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup Golf.

Hoshino’s DP World Tour journey

Hoshino’s journey on the DP World Tour has also been a good one. He has competed in 30 tournaments so far and has earned €867,496.95 from the DPWT.  In 2023, Hoshino competed in 5 events on the DP World Tour. He made cuts in four out of the five events and unfortunately had to retire from one event. 

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His top two finishes in 2023 came at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship and the ISPS Handa Championship. The golfer finished in both events as the proud runner-up. At Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, the 27-year-old finished in the 36th position, and at Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, he was 26th on the leaderboard.

Undeniably, Rikuya Hoshino stands as one of the most talented and promising golfers globally, arming himself with a smooth swing, a sharp short game, and unwavering confidence. With a bright future ahead, Hoshino is poised to continue taking on the world, leaving an indelible mark on the sport he loves.

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