Published on January 9th, 2023
Location: USA
World No. 1 Amateur Golfer Taiga Semikawa Signs With SPORTFIVE
Two-Time Japan Tour Winner Will Have Career Management and Marketing Representation across the Global Agency’s offices in Japan, Singapore, and the U.S.
Taiga Semikawa, who finished his amateur career as the No. 1 ranked amateur golfer in the world, has signed with SPORTFIVE for management and marketing representation. Semikawa’s team at SPORTFIVE will be led by Ben Harrison, Senior Vice President, Global Golf Clients, from the US office, alongside Patrick Joyce, Senior Vice President, Golf — Asia, from the agency’s Singapore office, and Kyoko Suzuki, Senior Associate, from its Tokyo office.
The agency’s extensive global scope and deep history of guiding some of the best players in the game, along with its global makeup and deep connections in the sport make them the ideal partner.
Taiga Semikawa, Fomer World No. 1 Ranked Amateur Golfer
As he begins his professional career, SPORTFIVE has secured multiyear partnerships for Semikawa with PING for equipment and headwear, and Srixon for golf balls and gloves, all of which he will use and wear on the course in all professional competitions. In addition, Semikawa will make his PGA TOUR debut this month when he plays three back-to-back tournaments – the Sony Open in Hawaii, the American Express, and the Farmer’s Insurance Open – on sponsor exemptions secured by SPORTFIVE.
“I’m excited to partner with the team at SPORTFIVE as I begin my professional career,” said Semikawa. “The agency’s extensive global scope and deep history of guiding some of the best players in the game, along with its global makeup and deep connections in the sport make them the ideal partner.”
The 21-year-old from Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan, won three professional events in a row while still an amateur. After winning the Japan Create Challenge in Fukuoka Raizan on the Japan Challenge Tour, he beat a stellar field of professionals at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship, and as a result became the fourth Japanese golfer to rise to the No. 1 position in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Not satisfied with that achievement, he powered to a two-stroke victory at the Japan Open, becoming the first amateur in 95 years to win the tournament. He became the only amateur to win twice in the same season on the Japan Golf Tour.
We are proud to work with Taiga as he begins his career and look forward to seeing him grow and compete on the global stage.
Steve Loy, President of Global Golf and Co-President, Americas at SPORTFIVE
“Taiga is a dynamic young player with a global appeal that fits perfectly with our global golf approach” said Steve Loy, President of Global Golf and Co-President, Americas at SPORTFIVE. “We are proud to work with Taiga as he begins his career and look forward to seeing him grow and compete on the global stage.”
SPORTFIVE has a diverse global golf business built around talent representation, event management and commercialization. The agency has one of the top client rosters in the golf industry with clients playing in the top professional tours around the world. The roster is highlighted by Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Tom Kim, Keegan Bradley, Harris English, and Davis Love III. Its clients include four Major Championship winners, four PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Award winners, and two members of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
SPORTFIVE also manages several professional golf events around the world, including PGA TOUR events The American Express™, the Fortinet Championship, Barbasol Championship, and Puerto Rico Open, and the Korn Ferry Tour’s Lecom Suncoast Classic. The agency also internationally manages the Singapore Open, the Singapore Women’s Open, the Simone Asia Pacific Cup and the BNI Indonesian Masters.
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About SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports.
While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports.
Being at the centre of professional sport SPORTFIVE will use its unique position, in order to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility, which sport and consequently all parties involved, also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in Football, Golf, Esports, Motorsport, Handball, Tennis, American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Rugby, Olympics and Multi-Sport Events and many more.
Press contacts
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Carmine Tiso
Vice President U.S. Communications
carmine.tiso@sportfive.com -
Pearline Chan
Director Marketing Communications
pearline.chan@sportfive.com
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