Sakai, Osaka, Japan: Teenager Kinjiro Kato has taken a giant leap of faith by making his professional debut at this week’s Panasonic Open.

At just 15 years and 141 days old, Kato will become the youngest ever professional golfer in Japan when he steps up to the tee at Izumigaoka Country Club today.

“I want to challenge myself against the best,” said Kato, who is set to break new ground as he embarks on his pro career. “This year, I was able to qualify for three regular Tour events and also made the cut in every Developmental Tour event I played.

“That made me realise how much more I want to compete on this stage. Turning professional is my way of trying to deliver results and give something back to them. That was a big motivation for my decision.”

While his decision is historic, Kato’s journey will be unlike any other due to Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) regulations. Current rules state that players still in compulsory education cannot hold Tour membership. As a result, Kato will not be recognised as a full Tour member until he graduates from junior high school next March.

Until then, though, he can play a maximum of six tournaments per season through sponsor invitations. Even if he records a top-10 finish or wins an event, membership will not be granted immediately. A champion’s exemption would only apply from the following season. He will not be listed on the official prize money rankings, which require participation in at least eight tournaments.

For now, Kato is simply excited about his professional debut.

“Right now, I’m honestly more excited and looking forward to it than nervous,” said Kato. “It’s really special to debut at the Panasonic Open, a tournament I’ve always looked up to. But I don’t want to get carried away just because I’m in such a big event. I want to stay focused, take it shot by shot, and play my own game.”

Kato has already shown flashes of his potential. He advanced through the First Qualifying Tournament (QT) in second place and is scheduled to compete in the Second QT. Success all the way through to the Final QT would earn him full playing rights starting in the 2026 season.

As an amateur, Kato made four JGTO starts. Although he has yet to make a cut, his poise and talent have already caught the attention of fans and players alike.

Kato describes his strengths as being in the short game. “My driver doesn’t fly as far as some of the others, so my strength is more in the short game – approaches, chipping, and putting. I think that’s where I can really make a difference,” said the teenager, who also revealed he has drawn encouragement from one of Japan’s biggest golfing stars.

“Last week I met Ryo Ishikawa on the green, and he congratulated me on getting through Monday qualifying. He also told me” ‘Let’s do our best,’ which meant a lot.”

Kato’s rise sets a new benchmark for youth in Japanese golf. Until now, the youngest competitor in a JGTO event was Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, who participated at the 2011 Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship when aged 15 years and 301 days.

Kato now stands ready to rewrite the record books as Japan’s youngest professional. “My first goal is to make the cut, put myself in a good position going into the weekend, and then hopefully fight for a high finish or even contend. Most of all, I just want to enjoy the challenge,” said Kato.