Japan to the World: The Battle of Junior Golfers Aiming for the Top

The Royal Golf Club (Hokota City, Ibaraki Prefecture), which aims to "nurture golfers who can compete globally," will host the junior golf competition "THE ROYAL JUNIOR 2026," sanctioned by The R&A and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), starting Friday, April 17, 2026.

This tournament is the only domestic international junior competition that grants the male and female winners direct entry into the main tournaments of the "The Amateur Championship" and "The Women's Amateur Championship."

■ Towards Asia's Pinnacle Junior Competition Directly Linked to World Majors

"THE ROYAL JUNIOR" is a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) eligible event and has been officially recognized by The R&A since its inaugural tournament in 2022.

In its fifth year in 2026, the tournament has grown into an international competition gathering top juniors from across Asia, with the cooperation of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC).

The 2025 tournament saw participation from a record 17 countries and regions, and it has now transcended domestic competition to become a cornerstone of junior development in the Asia-Pacific region.

■ The Shortest Route to the First Japanese "Amateur Champion"

The biggest feature of this tournament is that the winners are exempt from qualifying rounds and can directly participate in the main tournaments of "The Amateur Championship" and "The Women's Amateur Championship."

Founded in 1885, "The Amateur Championship" is one of the oldest amateur tournaments in the world, and its winner receives an exemption into "The Open Championship" and "The Masters Tournament."

To date, no Japanese golfer has won the men's Amateur Championship.

This tournament aims to be the shortest route for Japanese junior golfers to achieve this historic feat.

Source: The R&A Official Site "The Amateur Championship - Past Winners"

https://www.randa.org/championships/amateur-championship-past-winners

■ Cultivating Young Talent on a World-Class "8,143-Yard" Course

The Royal Golf Club, the venue for this tournament, boasts a course length of 8,143 yards (Par 72), making it one of the longest in Japan. It has hosted professional tours such as the "~Road to The Open~ Mizuno Open" (held in 2018 and 2019) and is highly regarded both domestically and internationally for its difficulty and strategic design.

When Japanese junior golfers aim for the global stage, they often face the challenge of "course length and toughness."

By experiencing world-class course settings from a junior age, this tournament aims to enhance not only technical skills but also the physical and mental strength required to compete internationally.

■ Tournament Overview

Tournament Name: THE ROYAL JUNIOR 2026

Dates: Friday, April 17 - Sunday, April 19, 2026

Venue: The Royal Golf Club (200 Okura, Hokota City, Ibaraki Prefecture)

Participants: 40 male, 40 female (planned)

Format: 54-hole stroke play (3-day competition)

Sanctioned by: THE R&A, Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC)

Organizer: Nippon Kabaya-Ohayo Holdings Inc.

Winner's Prizes

Male Winner: Entry into "The Amateur Championship"

Female Winner: Entry into "The Women's Amateur Championship"

Entry into "Asia-Pacific Women's Amateur Championship"

Entry into "Annika Invitational Asia"

■ About The Royal Golf Club

With the concept of "a course that nurtures players who can compete globally," this golf club pursues world-class course design and maintenance.

The 8,143-yard course is utilized for professional tournaments and training camps for top athletes, contributing to the development of Japanese golf culture and player nurturing.

■ Inquiries Regarding This Matter

The Royal Golf Club Tournament Office
TEL: 0291-39-7511
URL: https://the-royal-golf-club.com