On Sunday, October 11, 2026, I visited Yokohama Country Club to watch the final round of the Baycurrent Classic Presented by LEXUS.
GOL Yome had received a couple of tickets, which gave us the perfect opportunity to attend the tournament.
We occasionally go to watch Japanese women’s professional golf (LPGA) tournaments, but this was our very first PGA Tour event!
With Hideki Matsuyama also competing, I was especially excited about the opportunity.
Once we arrived, I discovered quite a few differences from the professional golf tournaments I had attended in Japan before.
Here are our tickets for the event.
We were looking forward to seeing some of the world’s best golfers competing right here in Japan.
Only 15 Minutes from Futamatagawa Station!
The tournament was held at Yokohama Country Club.
We took a shuttle bus from Futamatagawa Station, which took about 15 minutes.
Interestingly, I used to work in the Futamatagawa area many years ago.
But I had no idea that such a prestigious golf course was located so close by.
At that time, I hadn’t started playing golf, so golf courses were simply not on my radar.
Three Things That Surprised Me About the PGA Tour
There were three things that particularly impressed me during the tournament.
1. Photography Was Allowed!
The first surprise was the photography policy.
At the Japanese tour events I’ve attended in the past, taking photographs was strictly restricted.
So I was surprised that photography was allowed at this tournament.
Of course, it’s important not to disturb the players during their shots.
But being able to take pictures of the atmosphere and the players made the experience even more enjoyable.
It added another dimension to the spectator experience.
2. The Entire Venue Was Beautifully Designed
Another thing that impressed me was the overall design of the venue.
The signs, information boards, and decorations all followed a consistent visual style.
Everything looked coordinated and thoughtfully designed.
Even walking around the venue was enjoyable.
I felt that the organizers weren’t simply hosting a golf tournament.
They were creating an entire entertainment experience for the spectators.
I also noticed a rather clever sign.
At golf tournaments, you often see signs saying “Be Quiet” to remind spectators to remain silent.
But at this tournament, the sign said:
“B Quite”
It seemed to be a playful reference to the tournament sponsor, Baycurrent.
I enjoyed seeing this kind of attention to detail throughout the venue.
3. The World’s Best Golfers: Every Shot Was a Show!
But the biggest surprise was the quality of the golf itself.
The driving distance, the sound of the ball coming off the clubface, and the incredible approach shots finishing close to the pin.
Everything was on another level.
These really are the best of the best in professional golf.
When I watch Japanese women’s professional golf tournaments, I often compare the players’ shots with my own golf.
I find myself thinking:
“Wow, they’re really good!”
And I enjoy appreciating their skills and consistency.
But watching the PGA Tour was a completely different experience.
“WHOA!!”
I couldn’t help reacting out loud.
The enormous drives, the powerful sound at impact, and approach shots landing remarkably close to the pin.
Rather than comparing their golf with my own, I was simply enjoying one spectacular shot after another.
Watching the PGA Tour felt like watching a live show!
That’s something I could only fully appreciate by being there in person.
Yokohama Country Club Was Great for Spectators
Another thing I noticed was how easy it was to watch the players.
Perhaps because of the layout of Yokohama Country Club, there were places around the landing area for second shots where we could see several parts of a hole.
From one viewing spot, we could watch tee shots, approach shots, and even the action around the green.
It was a great place to enjoy different types of shots without constantly moving around.
Following a particular player can be exciting, but staying in one good spot and watching several groups was also a great way to enjoy the tournament.
The One Disappointment: Wi-Fi and Mobile Connectivity
Although the tournament was a wonderful experience, there was one disappointing aspect.
The internet connectivity at the venue was extremely poor.
There were digital maps, QR-code activities, and several other services designed for smartphone users.
Unfortunately, the connection was so unreliable that many of these services were difficult to use.
It appeared that additional antennas were being installed, but perhaps the network capacity wasn’t sufficient for the number of visitors.
Considering how well the event was organized and designed, this was a little disappointing.
Hideki Matsuyama Was Only Five Meters Away!
One of the happiest moments of the entire day was seeing Hideki Matsuyama up close.
He was only about five meters away!
I’ve watched him play on television countless times.
But seeing one of Japan’s most successful golfers standing right in front of me was something special.
It became one of my favorite memories of the tournament.
The PGA Tour Is More Than Golf: It’s Entertainment!
This was my first time watching a PGA Tour event in person.
The level of golf was even more impressive than I had imagined.
But it wasn’t just the incredible distance and technical skills of the players.
The venue design, the atmosphere, and the overall presentation made the tournament a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
When watching women’s professional golf, I often think:
“Those players are so good!”
But at this PGA Tour event, my reaction was more like:
“WHOA!!”
It was fascinating to discover how different the two spectator experiences could feel.
The poor connectivity was something I hope the organizers can improve, but overall, it was a fantastic day.
If I get another chance, I’d definitely love to watch a PGA Tour event again!
