The field for the newly announced International Series Japan is taking shape with two local heroes, Jinichiro Kozuma and Shugo Imahira, confirmed to compete at Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba from 8-11 May alongside Asian Tour rising star Taichi Kho.
The trio are the latest names to be revealed alongside Ripper GC’s Australian star Lucas Herbert and Harold Varner III, the 4 Aces GC player, for the US$2 million tournament which marks the historic debut in Japan for the LIV Golf-backed International Series.
Japanese star Kozuma plays for Iron Heads GC after securing his place on the League via the LIV Golf Promotions event in 2023.
Imahira is a 10-time champion on the Japan Golf Tour, with his last victory coming at the Japan Open last October.
Taichi, whose mother is Japanese, claimed a maiden Asian Tour victory at the 2023 World City Championship, and also secured a gold medal and team bronze for Hong Kong at the Asian Games in the same year.
International Series Japan is the third of 10 elevated Asian Tour events this season, following on from International Series India presented by DLF and International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
The season opener in Gurugram, just outside Delhi, brought some of the biggest names in world golf to a large audience of golf fans and families, and International Series Macau presented by Wynn was on the Open Qualifying Series, offering three spots onto the fourth major of the season at Royal Portrush in July.
The Japan date brings the series to an entirely new audience, taking the LIV Golf-backed brand to this important golfing market for the first time.
Kozuma said: “It is very important for The International Series to be played in Japan, as it brings the series to a new audience. With a number of players from the LIV Golf League competing with the best on the Asian Tour, there is plenty for Japanese golf fans to get excited about and I hope to see a lot of them out there at the Caledonian Golf Club cheering on the Iron Heads.”
Imahira said: “I look forward to competing against some of the big names from the LIV Golf League and the Asian Tour at International Series Japan. It is an exciting opportunity to play in a high-profile tournament like this, in front of Japan’s golf fans.”
Taichi, who finished T6 recently in Macau, said: “Playing International Series Japan will be special for me, as my mother is Japanese so we have that heritage in our family. My form was good in Macau, and hopefully I can take things to the next level in Japan.”
International Series Japan is one of 10 events on the Asian Tour that forms a pathway onto the LIV Golf League through its season-long Rankings race. The International Series Rankings champion is guaranteed a place on the roster for the 2026 season, while other high finishers earn a place on the LIV Golf Promotions event, an exciting competition that offers an alternative pathway onto the roster.
The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf. It consists of 10 elite tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour and offers the year-long Rankings leader promotion to the LIV Golf League
