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Yuti Sugiura skips home event to chase PGA Tour dream

Japanese golfer Yuta Sugiura made a bold career move this week by skipping the $8 million Baycurrent Classic in Yokohama to focus on securing his PGA Tour future. The 25-year-old, ranked 21st on the Korn Ferry Tour standings, withdrew from the event to compete in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in Virginia—a decision that could determine his full exemption for 2027.

With just six points separating him from the 20th spot, Sugiura’s choice underscores his ambition to play on the PGA Tour, a dream nurtured since childhood under the guidance of his father and longtime swing coach Masatsugu Ohki. His path has already included standout achievements, such as winning the 2023 Dunlop Phoenix Tournament as an amateur and earning Japan Golf Tour Rookie of the Year in 2025.

This season, Sugiura’s breakthrough included a 62 at the AdventHealth Championship and a historic 58 at the Compliance Solutions Championship, marking only the fourth sub-59 round in Korn Ferry Tour history. His recent performances have transformed his season, shifting focus from survival to a push for the top tier of professional golf.

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