The Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) has announced that the Kansai Open, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, will begin on May 14 at the prestigious Ibaraki Country Club in Osaka Prefecture. This historic tournament, now in its 91st edition, returns to the very course where it was first held in 1926, organized by the Kansai Golf Union (KGU).
Last year’s champion, Kota Kaneko, earned his emotional first tour victory at the event and later went on to top the money list. The 2026 edition marks a milestone century since the inaugural championship was won by Kakuji Fukui, making the Kansai Open the oldest open golf tournament in Japan.
Over the decades, the tournament has endured disruptions from earthquakes and pandemics, but it now celebrates its storied legacy at the birthplace of the competition. Fans can look forward to another chapter of dramatic golf action at the prestigious Ibaraki Country Club from May 14 to 17.