JGTO players’ chairman Hideto Tanihara and vice-chairman Koumei Oda are looking forward to another exciting season where players can endear themselves to the passionate golf fans and media again.

Tanihara, who closed 2021 with two wins in his last three starts, is even hoping for players to be identified by their unique monikers as the season-opening Token Homemate Cup tees off today.

Apart from thrilling the galleries with their performances on the course, the 16-time JGTO winner believes nicknames will help fans remember players better as they reflect their personalities and playing styles.

“These days, fans always call us by our real name. We want nicknames like “jumbo-san(Jumbo Ozaki)”, which helps creates our own unique personality,” said Tanihara.

Oda, who won the Token Homemate Cup twice in 2009 and 2010, has also called upon the media gathered at the press conference to coin nicknames for players to further engage and connect with fans.

“I would like the media to decide the nickname for each professional golfer and introduce them to their readers. It will help create an affinity between players and fans,” said the 43-year-old. 

As for their personal goals for the season, Tanihara would like to finish atop the money list, having ended the 2020-2021 season in fourth place, while Oda is seeking to a return to the winner’s circle after an eight-year title drought.

“It has been a long time since my last win (2014 Bridgestone Open), and I hope to win my ninth JGTO title very soon,” said Oda.