Kanon Takigawa [updated] [2024]

In 2023, she missed the cut in three consecutive events due to a "two-way miss" (both left and right hooking off the tee). Her coach has since worked on shortening her backswing slightly to increase control. Additionally, critics point out that while she dominates in Japan, she has yet to post a top-10 finish in a US LPGA major championship. The 2025 season will be a litmus test for whether her game translates to the longer, faster greens of the United States and Europe. Kanon Takigawa represents the new wave of athletes who understand branding. She is active on Instagram and TikTok (under the handle @kanon_golf), where she has amassed over 300,000 followers. Unlike the reserved Japanese athletes of the past, Takigawa shares workout routines, what she eats in the clubhouse, and hilarious "fail" videos of shanked shots.

Like many modern greats (inspired by players like Hideki Matsuyama), Takigawa has a slight pause at the top of her backswing. This allows her to drop her hands into the slot, swinging from the inside out. This shallow angle of attack is why she hits a consistent draw rather than a slice. kanon takigawa

Takigawa generates power through an incredible shoulder turn relative to her hip turn. She creates a massive "X-factor" stretch (the differential between her upper and lower body) that stores elastic energy like a rubber band. In 2023, she missed the cut in three

Her first major victory on the JLPGA came at the (typically held in August). In a dramatic final round, Takigawa showcased her "clutch" gene. She birdied the 17th and 18th holes to force a playoff against a veteran player, subsequently rolling in a 15-foot par putt to secure the win. This victory moved her into the top 50 of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. The 2025 season will be a litmus test

The name "Kanon" (花音), meaning "flower sound," stands in stark contrast to her playing style. On the course, she generates a sound off the tee that is more akin to a cannon blast than a floral whisper. She turned professional in 2021 and has since been on a meteoric rise up the world rankings. Before turning pro, Kanon Takigawa sent shockwaves through the amateur ranks. She was a key member of the Japanese national team, and her 2020 season was nothing short of spectacular. She won the Japanese Women’s Amateur Golf Championship, a tournament that has historically served as a launching pad for stars like Mika Miyazato.

In the world of professional golf, dynasties are often measured in decades. For years, the spotlight on the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) tour has been dominated by legendary figures like Ai Miyazato, Momoko Ueda, and more recently, the powerful Hinako Shibuno. But as the 2024-2025 seasons unfold, a new name is being whispered with increasing reverence by fans and rivals alike: Kanon Takigawa .