By Ron Chen, Bureau Chief, Asia

Sony Group Corporation has announced details for the “Sony Open in Hawaii” *1 golf tournament to be held from Monday, January 8 to Sunday, January 14, 2024 in Oahu, Hawaii (US).

Sony has sponsored the Sony Open in Hawaii continuously since 1999. Each year, all proceeds from this event are channeled back into the Hawaiian community through charity partner, Friends of Hawaii Charities to support children, women, the elderly and the economically disadvantaged. With a total of over US$24 million donated*2 to over 350 charities to date, the tournament is the largest charity sports event in Hawaii.

The title sponsor’s invitation spots for the Japan Golf Association and the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) selected through the “Sony Open Challenge” will go to Rintaro Nakano and Taiga Semikawa. This initiative aims to support the dreams of young golfers playing in Japan who wish to compete on a global level.

Through this sponsorship of the Sony Open in Hawaii, Sony aims to create new Kando (emotion) experiences and contribute to the further development of sports as well as continue supporting the local community in Hawaii.

According to Rintaro Nakano (Amateur invited by Japan Golf Association): “I am truly delighted to be able to be given the opportunity to play in the Sony Open in Hawaii. I look forward to starting the year with being part of such a prestigious tournament. While it is exciting, I also want to ensure that it is not just about participating, so I plan to make the most of the remaining month to prepare thoroughly and approach the event with the utmost readiness.”

Taiga Semikawa (Professional invited by Japan Golf Tour Organization)commented:  “I am extremely pleased and grateful for the opportunity to participate in the next Sony Open in Hawaii. This year, as a professional, I experienced a full season for the first time and gaining two victories throughout the year, as well as securing the leader in the total point rankings, has given me tremendous confidence. In the upcoming Sony Open in Hawaii next year, I aspire to compete as a representative player of the JGTO Tour, giving my best effort to showcase the full extent of my abilities.”