Features
JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK | Ryo Hisatsune Making His Mark on the PGA Tour
Ryo Hisatsune is vying for his sixth top-25 finish of 2025, and compatriot Hideki Matsuyama missed the PGA Championship cut for the first time in his career.
Ryo Hisatsune has had a steady start to the 2025 PGA Tour season.
Before swinging his golf clubs at the PGA Championship (May 15-18) in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hisatsune had participated in 14 tournaments, finishing in the top 25 on five occasions. This included three top-10 finishes ― tied for fourth at March's Valspar Championship, tied for fifth at April's Valero Texas Open, and a share of 10th place in the Mexico Open in February.
He's also missed the cut five times, but only once in the past seven tournaments.
Now he's aiming to climb into the top 25 or the top 10 once again.
After the third round, in which he shot a 1-over 72, on Saturday, May 17, Hisatsune was nine strokes off the pace at 2-under 211. That put Hisatsune in a tie for 23rd place.
World number one Scottie Scheffler leads the field at 11-under 202 (69-68-65).
The 22-year-old Hisatsune began his second appearance in the PGA Championship on Thursday at Quail Hollow Club with a 3-under 68 in the opening round. He had four birdies and a bogey ― all on the back nine.
After the opening round, Hisatsune assessed his performance, describing it as a pleasant surprise.
"My round went better than I expected," Hisatsune said, according to Kyodo News. "It's big that I was able to get birdies when I went aggressive."
In Friday's second round, Hisatsune recorded a trio of birdies and a bogey on the front nine. Then he made par on seven holes and bogeyed the other two. That gave him an even-par 71 for the round.
Matsuyama Misses the Cut in Charlotte
Meanwhile, Hideki Matsuyama, who shot a 1-over 72 in the first round, struggled on Friday and missed the cut for the first time at the PGA Championship. It was Matsuyama's 13th appearance in the golf major.
Matsuyama had a 2-over 73 in round two. That put him at 3-over 145, two strokes more than the cutoff point.
"Everything was bad," Matsuyama told reporters.
As a result, his streak of making the cut at majors ended at 19, which had been the longest active streak on the PGA Tour.
The 2021 Masters champion said he'll shift his focus to getting ready for the US Open, which will be held June 12-15 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.
"There was this mood of nothing going well, whatever I tried," said Matsuyama, who had three bogeys, including the par-4 18th, on Friday, according to Kyodo News. "I'll prepare well for the next major."
Hisatsune Returns to PGA Championship for the 2nd Time
In 2024, Hisatsune competed in the Masters, the PGA Championship and the British Open, only making the cut in the PGA Championship (he tied for 18th). He debuted in all three events last year.
Now, Hisatsune finds himself in a unique position in Charlotte: the lone remaining Japanese golfer in the year's second major.
The Okayama Prefecture native said he's comfortable with the course.
"I think the setting is good for me," he was quoted as saying by Kyodo News before adding, "I can still hit the rough and there are several factors that make it easy to play."
RELATED:
Soccer
A New WE League Champion is Crowned
Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza captured the 2024-25 WE League title on Saturday, May 17.
Beleza completed the season with 16 wins, three defeats and three draws (51 points). And they earned a 3-0 triumph over JEF United Chiba on the season's final day at Ajinomoto Stadium Nishigaoka.
Yuzuki Yamamoto led Beleza with two goals in the title-clinching win. Teammate Shino Matsuda also scored.
INAC Kobe Leonesa also had a 16-3-3 record and the same total of points.
But Beleza secured the title with a better goal difference (plus 34 ― 50 goals scored, 16 allowed). INAC finished with 43 goals and surrendered 14 (plus-29 goal difference).
Beleza manager Takeo Matsuda described the team's title quest in the euphoria that followed the match.
"I am relieved that we were able to carry the match to the end as I had envisioned," Matsuda was quoted as saying by NHK. "We have been playing the last few matches as if they were finals, and the players showed their strength in today's match as well."
Beleza captain Tomoko Muramatsu, a defender, was thrilled with the outcome.
"Winning the league championship has always been my goal," Muramatsu said, according to NHK. "Finally, we were able to win this title. I am so happy. This is an unforgettable day in my soccer career."
In the 2023-24 season, Beleza finished third out of 12 teams.
The Urawa Reds Ladies, who entered the 2024-25 campaign as two-time defending champions, placed third overall this season. Leonesa standout Carlota Suarez scored a league-best 13 goals, followed by Miyu Yakata of Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies with 11.
J.League-Leading Antlers Extend Win Streak to 7
The Kashima Antlers defeated visiting Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 on Saturday, May 17. Yuma Suzuki scored the lone goal in the seventh minute.
At Ibaraki Prefecture's Kashima Soccer Stadium, the Antlers collected their seventh straight J.League victory. In five of those matches, the opponent was held scoreless.
Kashima improved to 12-1-4 (37 points) under first-year manager Toru Oniki, the celebrated former Kawasaki Frontale boss.
After the match, Suzuki spoke about the victory-deciding play.
"A good ball came from Chucky (Serbian forward Aleksandar Cavric), and I was able to score it by just making sure to meet the ball," Suzuki said, according to goal.com. "I hadn't been able to score like that since last year, but I had a good feeling from yesterday, so I'm glad I was able to score."
Whenever they step onto the pitch, the Antlers are focused on winning, according to Suzuki.
"Whether it's seven, eight, or nine consecutive wins, we won't be satisfied until we win the championship," Suzuki told reporters after the match.
Also Saturday, FC Machida Zelvia beat second-place Kashiwa Reysol 3-0. Reysol have 33 points and a 9-6-2 record.
RELATED:
Sumo
Onosato, Hakuoho Tied for Summer Basho Lead
At the end of the first week of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, only two makuuchi division wrestlers remained unbeaten. Ozeki Onosato and seventh-ranked maegashira Hakuoho owned identical 7-0 records through the end of competition on Saturday, May 17.
The second week of the Summer Basho starts on Sunday, May 18 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Heading into Day 8 of the tourney, lone yokozuna Hoshoryu (5-2) was two wins off the pace.
Title contenders also include ninth-ranked maegashira Aonishiki (6-1) and komusubi Wakatakakage (6-1).
Onosato, who has won three Emperor's Cups, including in a playoff at March's Spring Basho, is seeking promotion to yokozuna. And a title in this tournament would secure it ― and be the ideal early birthday present (Onosato turns 25 on June 7).
WorldWide Sumo Announces US Tour
Teaming up with Emmy-award-winning founders of StudioNaginami, WorldWide Sumo will stage a series of upcoming events called "Super Power Show!" in the United States in the summer of 2025.
WorldWide Sumo made the announcement on Thursday, May 15.
According to a press release, the tour will kick off at Petco Park's Gallagher Square (July 25-26) in San Diego. After that, the sports, entertainment and cultural spectacle has a total of five scheduled performances from August 1-3 at the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
"This isn't just a sporting event," said Todd Yasui, co-founder of WorldWide Sumo. "It's a dynamic celebration of Japanese heritage, artistry, and athleticism — and an invitation to a new generation of fans."
Retired pro wrestlers from Japan, Mongolia and Brazil will participate in sumo exhibition matches.
For more information, check out WWSumo.com. Tickets are now available for purchase on the website.
Baseball
Tigers' Murakami, Fighters' Itoh Lead Respective Leagues in Strikeouts
Shoki Murakami of the Hanshin Tigers is No 1 in strikeouts (43) among Central League pitchers through May 16. And Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters starter Hiromi Itoh leads the Pacific League with 56 Ks.
Murakami is 6-1 with a 1.87 ERA in 57⅔ innings.
Itoh is 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 52 frames. He is one of three PL pitchers with 50 or more strikeouts.
RELATED:
Maeda Joins the Cubs on a Minor League Deal
In other baseball news, former NPB and MLB pitcher Kenta Maeda has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs, it was announced on Friday. The Detroit Tigers released the 37-year-old in early May.
Maeda was not effective in seven relief appearances this season, posting a 7.88 ERA for Detroit.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell hopes the team can help Maeda revive his career.
"He has had success, he's struggled," Counsell said. "[And] he's on a minor league contract. I think it's a player that we've got to have constant conversations with and see where we can maybe make some adjustments and see where he's at."
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.