Looking back on a breakout domestic season of eight wins, including two majors, Japanese golfer Rio Takeda stopped just short of giving herself a perfect score for 2024.

The long-hitting 21-year-old evaluated her third pro season, in which she also landed a 2025 U.S. LPGA Tour spot, during a recent interview in her native Kumamoto Prefecture.

The U.S. season opens on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida.

“I would say 99 points (out of 100),” said Takeda, who went on to explain why she docked herself a point. “I lost several times when I was in contention. And I didn’t play well on the final day of the season-ending Tour Championship Ricoh Cup.”

Takeda clinched the tour’s season-points leadership with two tournaments remaining and earned a Japan LPGA Tour single-season record 265 million yen ($1.69 million).

She picked up her first career win at the Vantelin Ladies Open in her home prefecture in mid-April. Her second victory came a week later.

“I just couldn’t imagine winning that many times,” Takeda said. “I led the tour in points and also got to play majors (on the U.S. LPGA Tour), so it was a really fun season for me.”

Takeda surged to the top of the Japan tour, from 22nd in the point rankings in 2023, and attributed her newfound success to her short game.

“I used to practice full shots mainly, but I almost completely switched the amount of time I spend practicing my short game and full shots. Now I work on my short game first and use the remaining time on hitting full shots.”

Takeda earned the right to play in the United States in 2025 when she won the Japan Classic in November, an event co-sanctioned by the Japan and U.S. LPGA tours.

Golfer Rio Takeda poses with a handwritten statement in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2024. (Kyodo)

She outlasted Marina Alex of the United States with a birdie on the sixth playoff hole.

“I’ve wanted to play on the U.S. tour since I was a child, but I had thought it would be after winning 10 times or so in Japan,” Takeda said. “When it comes to going over there, I think the earlier, the better.”

Despite her improved short game, Takeda says it is still a work in progress ahead of her American adventures this year.

“I want to practice my short game further. My sand save rate was low (50th on the tour with about 42.5 percent), so I want to practice a lot before I go.”

Takeda plans to start as many tournaments as possible in the United States.

“I want to win a (U.S. LPGA) major someday, but to do so, I definitely have to improve my overall game,” Takeda said. “I hope to raise my game in 2025.”

Related coverage:

Golf: High-tech league backed by Woods, featuring Matsuyama, tees off

Golf: Matsuyama earns 11th career PGA win at season-opening Sentry