The PGA TOUR and Baycurrent Inc., announced a multi-year agreement for Japanās leading comprehensive consulting firm to become the new title sponsor of the PGA TOURās Japan event ā reimagined as the Baycurrent Classic. The event will also have a new home starting in 2025, as the event relocates to Yokohama Country Club in Yokohama, Kanagawa, to be contested as part of the PGA TOURās FedExCup Fall.
āSince 2019, the PGA TOURās first and only official event in Japan has played a pivotal role in further connecting the PGA TOUR and our players to the passionate golf fans of this great country,ā said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. āThe pride Baycurrent holds for both its home country and the game of golf will ensure this tournament continues to make meaningful contributions to our gameās growth in Japan and across Asia while showcasing the worldās best to a global audience. We are also excited about the eventās new home, Yokohama Country Club, one of Japanās premier golf clubs located in close proximity to Tokyoās city center.ā
The PGA TOUR opened its APAC headquarters in Tokyo in 2016 and debuted its first annually sanctioned PGA TOUR tournament in Japan in 2019. Tiger Woods had a dramatic victory at the inaugural event, and Japanās pride and world-renowned player Hideki Matsuyama claimed victory in 2021.
āWe are pleased to welcome Baycurrent as the newest member of our PGA TOUR family, as they have shown a commitment and passion for further developing the game of golf in Japan while providing a first-class experience for our players and fans,ā said Chris Lee, PGA TOUR Senior Vice President & Managing Director – APAC. āYokohama Country Club is a world-class venue that will truly test our players skills and thanks to Baycurrentās vision, the Baycurrent Classic will continue to offer an opportunity for the next generation of Japanese stars to see how they stack up against the best golfers in the world.”
The Baycurrent Classic, which is co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organization, provides opportunities for JGTO players to test their skills against the PGA TOUR’s best. In 2024, 14 JGTO members earned entry into the annual 78-player field based on their performance on the tour, with Yuta Sugiura finishing inside the top 10 (T6).
āWe are thrilled to announce our title sponsorship of the Baycurrent Classic in collaboration with the PGA TOUR. We have been fortunate to be associated with the PGA TOURās global brand for a number of years. We are confident that through golf, a sport beloved across borders, generations, and genders, we can further enhance our recognition and corporate value both domestically and internationally,ā said Yoshiyuki Abe, Baycurrent President and Representative Director.
Baycurrent Inc., Japanās leading comprehensive consulting firm based in Tokyo, contributes to customer growth by providing value-added services that incorporate their clientsā values and cultures, and whose expertise and networks have cultivated a comprehensive problem-solving agency for a range of industries, including high-tech, media, telecommunications, automotive, medical and financial institutions.
Yokohama Country Club, established in 1960, is a 36-hole facility designed by the late Takeo Aiyama. The West Course was remodeled by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2016. Known for its undulating fairways and dense pine trees, the course will see the field take on a composite of both layouts, including 16 holes from the West Course.
āYokohama Country Club has been privileged to host some of the biggest golf events in Japan, and starting next year, we look forward to welcoming the worldās best golfers,ā said Takeyasu Aiyama, President of Yokohama International Golf Club Co., Ltd. āThe stage the PGA TOUR provides is second to none and to have our club be recognized as one of the worldās premier courses is truly an honor.ā
Every year since 1993, the PGA TOUR has had at least one Japanese player in its membership including four with fully exempt status for the 2025 season, including Hideki Matsuyama, Ryo Hisatsune and two new additions, Kaito Onishiāwho qualified via the Korn Ferry Tour Top 30āand Rikuya Hoshino, who qualified via the DP World Tour Top 10.
Five Japanese players have accounted for 16 all-time PGA TOUR victories, led by Matsuyama, Asiaās winningest PGA TOUR player with 10 titles, and Shigeki Maruyama with three. Isao Aoki, Ryuji Imada and Satoshi Kodaira have each won once.
