There’s a lot to play for as the LPGA Tour heads into the closing stretch of the year, as just three regular-season events remain on the schedule. Athletes will be feeling the heat at this week’s TOTO Japan Classic, which is wrapping up the LPGA Tour’s fall swing through Asia and will see the Tour make one final stop in Japan, where they will not only be vying for a $2.1 million purse and a trophy but also much-needed Race to the CME Globe points and points in the season-long award standings. Here’s a quick look at what you need to know about this week’s TOTO Japan Classic at Seta Golf Course.

The Field

Minjee Lee headlines the field at the TOTO Japan Classic as the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 3. Lee has enjoyed a consistent run of golf in her closing stretch of the season with top 10s in three of her last five tournaments, which includes a tie for 10th in her last start at the BMW Ladies Championship. Lee is teeing it up in Japan for the second consecutive year after tying for 64th in 2024.

Japan’s own Miyu Yamashita will no doubt be a major draw for fans, as the most recent winner on the LPGA Tour with her victory at the Maybank Championship will compete again this week at Seta Golf Course. Yamashita joined Jeeno Thitikul as the only other two-time winner this season after she added a victory in Malaysia to her maiden major title at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club.

Yamashita is one of seven winners this season who will compete this week at the TOTO Japan Classic. She’s joined by her fellow rookies, the Iwai sisters, Chisato and Akie, who will also be competing in their native Japan, along with Miranda Wang, winner of the FM Championship.

Two-time major champion Jiyai Shin, who currently competes on the JLPGA, will return to the LPGA Tour to make her first start since the AIG Women’s Open. Shin has a victory and seven additional top-10 results already this season on the JLPGA.

Rio Takeda Defends

It took a marathon, six-hole playoff to determine the winner of the 2024 TOTO Japan Classic, and it was ultimately Rio Takeda who outlasted Marina Alex to collect her first career victory on the LPGA Tour. Takeda triumphed after just 54 holes, as the tournament was reduced from 72 holes due to a tropical storm in the region. Takeda, who is a rookie this season on the LPGA Tour, added another win to her resume with her victory at the Blue Bay LPGA in March, and she has recorded seven additional top 10s in 2025. Takeda was 41st in her last start in Malaysia.

Racing to the CME Group Tour Championship

The TOTO Japan Classic is one of just two tournaments remaining in which players can earn points to try and get into the field at the CME Group Tour Championship. The season-long Race to the CME Globe awards points to players throughout the season, and the top-60 players in the standings will qualify for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. Here are the players who are on the bubble to qualify heading into this week’s TOTO Japan Classic.

Wei-Ling Hsu: Hsu made a much-needed move in the Race to the CME Globe point standings with her tie for 23rd in Malaysia to jump up two spots to No. 59, just one spot inside the cutoff. Hsu will tee it up again this week at the TOTO Japan Classic in hopes of further improving her position in the season-long race.

Cassie Porter: The Australian is now right on the number at No. 60 after her tie for 49th last week in Malaysia. Porter, who is a rookie this season on the LPGA Tour, is not in the field this week in Japan.

Saki Baba: The rookie jumped two spots to No. 63 in the Race to the CME Globe point standings with her tie for 64th in Malaysia and will look to make an additional jump inside the top 60 with a strong showing in her native Japan.

Final Awards Push

While some athletes are trying to earn a spot at the CME Group Tour Championship, there are others who are looking to lock up the season’s biggest honors. Here’s an update on where the season-long races sit heading into the TOTO Japan Classic.

Rolex Player of the Year: Jeeno Thitikul remains at No. 1 in the standings, with a narrow 25-point lead over Miyu Yamashita, who jumped to No. 2 in the race with her victory last week at the Maybank Championship. Thitikul is not in the field this week at the TOTO Japan Classic, providing Yamashita an opportunity to gain further ground on the Rolex Rankings No. 1.

Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year: Yamashita further extended her lead atop the rookie of the year points standings with her win in Malaysia. She currently leads with 1,342 points and is 206 points ahead of her fellow countrywoman, Rio Takeda.

Vare Trophy: Thitikul leads the Tour with an average of 68.88, sitting ahead of Minjee Lee, who has an average of 69.59. Lee can try to close the gap this week in Japan, as Thitikul is not in the field.

Aon Risk Reward Challenge: This season-long race is nearing its conclusion as it will be determined following next week’s The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. Thitikul remains at No. 1 ahead of A Lim Kim and Jennifer Kupcho, but none of the three are in the field this week in Japan.

Money Title: Minjee Lee has led the money list since her victory at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and she can add to her winnings at this week’s TOTO Japan Classic with it being a no-cut event. Lee currently leads Thitikul by $237,342.

How to Watch

Although Japan is 14 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone, all four rounds of the TOTO Japan Classic will be available to watch live on Golf Channel. Below is the schedule for the four days of the tournament. All times are ET.

Wednesday, November 5: 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. on Golf Channel

Thursday, November 6: 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. on Golf Channel

Friday, November 7: 10:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. on Golf Channel

Saturday, November 8: 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. on Golf Channel

Five Things to Know About the 2025 TOTO Japan Classic

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