Pre-Tournament Competition

Musashigaoka Golf Course

埼玉県, Japan

Located in Hanno, Saitama, Musashigaoka Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-72 layout set within a forested landscape that opened in 1983. Designed by Tadashi Shimamura, the course utilizes the natural undulations of the terrain to create a strategic challenge for golfers. The course features a mix of tee types, with the back tees extending to 7,016 yards on Bentgrass and 6,608 yards on Kyorai grass. While the fairways are notably wide and open, the layout is defined by its strategic demands, particularly through its rough conditions and complex green complexes. The course is renowned for its fast, undulating greens and strategically placed bunkers that surround the putting surfaces. The rough is maintained at approximately 65mm, increasing to 80mm during tournament periods, which adds significant difficulty to approach shots. The layout is often characterized by the contrast between its longer holes, which are relatively straightforward to score, and its mid-length holes, which present more complex challenges. Notable holes include the 17th, a 403-yard par 4 that features no bunkers but is protected by a large water hazard in front of the green, and the 5th, a 384-yard par 4 where a downhill second shot requires precise distance control. Musashigaoka has a significant history in professional golf, hosting numerous LPGA tournaments since its inception. It has been the venue for the Matsuda Japan Classic, the Higuchi Hisako IDC Otsuka Fertilizer Ladies Tournament, and currently hosts the Higuchi Hisako Mitsubishi Electric Ladies Golf Tournament. The course also holds a unique place in golf history as the site where Tiger Woods played his first round in Japan in 1997. Flags marking the distance of his shots remain in place on several holes, including the 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 16th, 17th, and 18th.