Hainan, China: Keita Nakajima has secured a starting spot in next month’s US PGA Championship courtesy of his success in the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing.
The rising Japanese star, who triumphed in the 2021 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, topped the standings in the DP World Tour’s four-leg visit to the region, taking in events in Singapore, India and China.
Across the four tournaments, Nakajima amassed 835.12 points. Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra was second with 790.45 points followed by Englishman Marco Penge (633.47 points).
As well as gaining an exemption to Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club for the second Major of the year from May 15-18, Nakajima’s success in the Asian Swing ensures him entry into all events in the second phase of the DP World Tour season, the Back 9, and earned him a US$200,000 bonus.
After finishing 35th on the Race to Dubai at the end of last season, the Japanese struggled to produce his best over the opening weeks of the 2025 campaign during the International Swing but found his form over the Asian Swing.
Nakajima finished second to England’s Richard Mansell in the Porsche Singapore Classic at Laguna National Golf Resort Club, before again finishing runner-up on his title defence in the Hero Indian Open at DLF Golf & Country Club.
A missed cut followed at the Volvo China Open, but he bounced back from that disappointment with a tie for 11th at last week's inaugural Hainan Classic to repel the challenge of Chacarra at the top of the Swing standings.
As he sets his sights on Quail Hollow, Nakajima will also be buoyed by the fact that he’s climbed to 100th on the Official World Golf Ranking.
