Staff WriterInternational Series Japan tees off this week at Caledonian Golf Club, marking the Asian Tour’s first venture into the Land of the Rising Sun.
The International Series Japan has already drawn a star-studded field—LIV Golf stalwarts and homegrown heroes alike—to Chiba prefecture, each eager to chase the end-of-season Rankings prize and a place on the 2026 LIV Golf roster.
A New Stage for Asian Tour Heavyweights
Thailand’s seven-time Asian Tour winner Jazz Janewattananond headlines the marquee, hoping to recapture the magic that earned him Japan Golf Tour Rookie of the Year honours back in 2019.
Fresh off a runner-up finish at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in Korea—where Jazz shared the lead into Sunday before a testing closing round saw him settle for second—he arrives in Japan brimming with confidence.
- Recent form: T2 at Maekyung Open (one-over 72 on final day)
- Best Japan finish: Winner, SMBC Singapore Open (co-sanctioned with JGT, 2019)
He admits there’s still work to do, but his swing is heading in the right direction. “The swing is trending, but just not there yet – it’s not automatic yet. I still have some shots where I don’t feel comfortable, but I know what to work on.
“I haven’t been to Japan in so long. I used to play a full schedule there in 2019, and it is something special.
Every golf course is perfectly manicured. You know you’re going to get a good level of golf, and a challenging golf course.
“So I’m looking forward to that, and catching up with some old friends I haven’t seen in a while,” added Jazz, who previously edged Paul Casey and Yoshinori Fujimoto to claim that Singapore crown.
Scotland vs. Zimbabwe: Two Paths to Glory
Not to be outdone, 2022 International Series Rankings champion Scott Vincent brings his own cachet to the International Series Japan.
Over a span of ten months between 2021 and 2022, the Zimbabwean racked up three victories on Japanese soil:
- Sansan KBC Augusta (Aug 2021): Beat Riyo Ishikawa by one shot
- ANA Open (Sept 2021): Three-shot triumph over Tomoharu Otsuki
- Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open (May 2022): Play-off win en route to launching his International Series England success
That streak propelled Vincent onto the LIV Golf League, where he spent two seasons with Iron Heads GC before narrowly missing re-qualification at the end of last season.
Back on Asian Tour duty, he looked poised for a strong finish in Korea—sitting fifth alongside Jazz—but a late-round wobble left him T12 overall.
Still, recent top-10s at International Series India, the Philippine Open, and the Maezawa Cup suggest he’s rounding back into form.
“Overall I feel like it is moving in the right direction. I’ve been obviously working on it (my game), and sometimes it works out great, sometimes not. But I like where it’s heading, and the feels that I’m creating.
“I am obviously just trying to play the best I can and do the things that I think are going to help. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Right now it feels good – I will just keep trying to work on the things that I’m working on.”
Homefield Advantage and Rising Stars
Local legend Riyo Ishikawa and a clutch of Japan Golf Tour standouts add further intrigue to the mix.
The manicured fairways and slick greens of Caledonian Golf Club promise a stern test, and with an automatic LIV Golf berth hanging on the season-ending Rankings title, every swing will count.
Why You Won’t Want to Miss It
- Date: 8–11 May
- Venue: Caledonian Golf Club, Chiba prefecture
- Key attractions: LIV Golf crossover stars, top Japanese contenders, end-of-season Rankings drama
Whether you’re following Jazz’s quest to rekindle his 2019 form, Vincent’s chase to reclaim LIV status, or cheering on Ishikawa and other Japanese hopefuls, the International Series Japan offers something for every golf fan.
Expect drama, course-management battles, and that trademark blend of precision and flair that Japanese golf venues deliver.
Purchase your tickets here and be part of a historic debut as the International Series lands in Japan for the very first time.
