There’s something poetic about returning to the place where it all clicked. In 2021, a young Japanese player figured out Seta Golf Course in a big way—shooting -16 to claim the TOTO Japan Classic on her home turf. She was good back then. Really good, actually. But she’s better now. She’s got a major championship win. She’s got the confidence that comes from conquering golf’s biggest stages. She’s got home-field advantage again. And she’s not walking into this tournament alone. This week’s field is stacked with players who have the form, the firepower, and the course knowledge to make serious noise in Japan.

The tournament will run from November 6 to 9 at Seta Golf Course in Otsu-shi, Shiga Prefecture. That 2021 champion? Ayaka Furue—now a major winner who returns with the Evian Championship trophy on her mantle. While several top names have opted to skip the final Asian swing stop, that creates massive opportunities for the 78 players who made the trip. From momentum-riding champions to proven course specialists, here are five players positioned to contend for the $300,000 winner’s share.

Minjee Lee – the reliable powerhouse

Minjee Lee brings a championship pedigree and rock-solid consistency to Japan this week. The World No. 3 leads the LPGA money list with $5.51 million in earnings and captured her third career major at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June. Her 2025 resume includes six top-5 finishes, seven top-10s, and 14 top-20 results in just 19 starts.

Her recent Asian swing performances show she’s peaking at the right time with a third-place finish at Buick LPGA Shanghai and a T10 at the BMW Ladies Championship in October. During her BMW Ladies’ second round, Lee showcased elite precision by hitting 12 of 14 fairways and finding 17 of 18 greens. She sits second in the Player of the Year standings and could clinch major honors with another strong showing this week.

Miyu Yamashita – the momentum machine

Miyu Yamashita arrives in Japan as the hottest player in women’s golf right now. Just days ago, the World No. 4 authored one of the most spectacular comebacks in LPGA history. She rallied from eight shots back to win the Maybank Championship on November 2nd—tying the second-largest final-round deficit overcome since 1980. Her closing 65 was the day’s best score before she sealed victory with a clutch birdie in a three-way playoff.

The 24-year-old has now won twice in 2025, matching World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul as the only multiple winners this season. Her first victory came at the AIG Women’s Open in August, where she captured her maiden major championship. She ranks first on tour in strokes gained putting and bogey-free rounds. Competing on home soil with massive crowd support only amplifies her confidence after handling two weather delays during the Maybank playoff without flinching.

“My putting was solid and I could make many birdies,” Yamashita said through an interpreter after her Maybank victory.

Ayaka Furue – the course specialist

Ayaka Furue owns the best course history in the entire field. She won the 2021 TOTO Japan Classic at Seta Golf Course with a dominant -16 total—that’s the mysterious champion from the opening paragraph. The World No. 24 has compiled three top-10 finishes in four tournament appearances here and captured the Evian Championship this year for her first major title.

Her statistical profile perfectly suits Seta’s demands, ranking in the top-10 in both driving accuracy and greens in regulation. Even more impressive, she’s second on tour in scrambling—absolutely critical when weather conditions turn challenging. Furue finished T9 at last week’s Maybank Championship and brings intimate knowledge of course conditions as a Japanese player who’s known for going low when needed.

Rio Takeda – the defending champion

Rio Takeda returns to Seta Golf Course with the ultimate advantage—she knows exactly what it takes to win here. The World No. 13 captured last year’s TOTO Japan Classic dramatically, surviving a six-hole playoff against Marina Alex that finished just before sunset. Her -15 winning score proved she could handle the pressure when it mattered most.

Takeda has carried that confidence into 2025 with a victory at the Blue Bay LPGA Championship in March, her second LPGA Tour title. She sits second in the CME Globe points race with 1,136 points, trailing only the season’s dominant force. As the defending champion on home soil with recent course success and strong season-long form, Takeda brings the complete package of experience, confidence, and local support.

Nasa Hataoka – the surging contender

Nasa Hataoka is riding serious momentum into her home country. The World No. 32 finished runner-up at the BMW Ladies Championship on October 19th, just four shots behind winner Sei Young Kim. Her recent stretch includes five top-18 finishes in her last six events, showing clutch finishing ability by birding four of her last five holes at the BMW Ladies.

Hataoka won this tournament at Seta Golf Course back in 2018, at the age of 19, and finished T8 here in 2023. Her ball-striking numbers back up the recent results, ranking seventh in strokes gained tee-to-green at 1.28 per round and 11th in driving accuracy at 78.6%. She’s made 292 total birdies this season while ranking 16th in strokes gained approach—the complete package is firing right now.

The 2025 TOTO Japan Classic features a compelling mix of proven champions, course specialists, and surging contenders. Furue’s combination of course mastery and major championship experience makes her particularly intriguing this week. However, Yamashita’s red-hot form and Takeda’s defending champion status create equally compelling narratives. This tournament could deliver a Japanese champion either way.