The Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) announced on the 12th that it has approved the application of the “Tournament Special Guarantee System” for Ayako Kimura. The reason for her withdrawal has not been disclosed due to privacy considerations, with the coverage starting from the “2026 NTT Docomo Business Ladies” tournament.
Kimura claimed her second career tour victory at last year’s “Fujitsu Ladies” after a three-year drought. This season, she competed in six events, with her best result being a tie for 21st at the second tournament, “Taiwan Hon Hai Ladies,” while missing the cut in all others. Before the start of the “NTT Docomo Business Ladies” tournament, the tournament office announced her withdrawal.
Under this system, the mandatory number of tournaments she must play is relaxed to at least 60% of the total JLPGA tour events, excluding those missed from the start of the absence period approved by the special guarantee system committee (limited to the same year). If she meets this requirement and finishes within the top 50 of the Mercedes Ranking by the late stages of the 2026 season, she will be granted a seed for the 2027 season.
If she fails to reach the top 50, but the combined points from this season and those earned in guaranteed events after her return meet the threshold equivalent to the 50th-place points in the ranking, she will still be eligible for competition similar to seeded players after the guaranteed events end.
If Kimura returns within one year from the same tournament week next year, she can compete in the guaranteed events. However, if she is unable to return by the 2027 season, she may seek approval from the Tournament Special Guarantee System Committee to return in the year after the missed season (2028).
