Updated on 3 November 2026 after the opening round. Japan's Yurika Tanida leads the 2026 JLPGA Final Professional Test at Shizu Hills Country Club in Hitachiomiya, Ibaraki, after a seven-under-par 65. South Korea's Park Min-ji stands second on 67 (−5), two strokes adrift. Ten players, including Nanoka Kuze and Akimi Hayashi, share third on 69 (−3).
These are first-round scores only. The examination is a four-day, 72-hole event, and nobody has qualified on the basis of the opening 18 holes.
Tanida's Epson Tour experience meets a new challenge
Tanida spent 2026 competing on the United States' Epson Tour. Speaking to JLPGA after her round, she credited her distance control for producing birdie opportunities and said adapting to varying weather and course conditions during the season had strengthened her resilience. The 65 gives her an early advantage, not a guaranteed first-place finish.
What Park Min-ji said about Japan
Park, a 20-time winner on the KLPGA Tour, reported that her front nine had been less comfortable before her shots and putting came together over the second nine. She also gave a meaningful explanation of why she entered Japan's professional test: playing in Japanese events on occasional invitations was not enough, and she wants to compete more regularly there as part of her continuing development.
Her second place after one round is not a JLPGA qualification result. Neither passing the examination nor finishing strongly in its early rounds automatically confers an unconditional full JLPGA Tour schedule.
How qualifying works
Of 762 applicants to the 2026 examination, 102 reached the final stage, held 3–6 November on a 6,462-yard, par-72 course. The format is 72 holes of stroke play. Players finishing in the top 20 positions, including all tied for 20th, pass the professional test. The overall first-place finisher also earns entry to the Final Stage of the 2026 JLPGA Qualifying Tournament, a separate process governing playing opportunities.
The distinction between test passage and full tour eligibility is essential. A promising 65 or 67 on Tuesday does not settle either.
Spectators are not admitted. JLPGA provides official daily scoring and plans free livestreams on 5–6 November for the final two rounds.
Sources: JLPGA first-round report, 3 November; official pre-event announcement, 2 November; first-round leaderboard.
