Ji wins! China on top in historic tourney

Fellow Japanese golfer Rui Hiraoka, the field's best performing Japanese player, finished tied for ninth and was equally taken with the experience.

Hiraoka, who first visited China in early 2020 for the CLPG Tour's qualifying exam, made her official Chinese mainland tournament debut this time.

"The Chinese players I played with hit the ball so far — I really envy that. If I get the chance, I would love to return to compete in China," she said. "Not only are the tournaments here well-run, but the food is also amazing!"

China's former world No 1 Feng Shanshan, an ambassador for the CLPG Tour, sees the collaboration between the two tours as a significant opportunity for Chinese players.

She thinks it offers players early exposure to elite international opponents, using the CLPG Tour as a stepping-stone to the global stage.

A 10-time LPGA Tour champion in the United States, Feng found success in Japan as well, securing seven JLPGA titles during her storied career. She hopes the tournament will serve as a bridge between Chinese and Japanese players, allowing her to offer guidance and support.

Feng emphasized the rapid growth of the CLPG Tour in recent years. "You can see the tremendous progress just by looking at the development of our players," she said.

"This growth is closely tied to the rise of the CLPG Tour. I hope our events continue to improve and produce more Chinese players that can compete on the international stage," she added.

Feng sees the partnership with Japan as a model for future collaborations. "For young players, this exposure is invaluable — it allows them to experience different playing styles and course conditions, helping them determine which tour best suits their development. It also shows them the gap between themselves and the top players, helping them understand how much harder they need to work," she explained.