Takigawa generates power through an incredible shoulder turn relative to her hip turn. She creates a massive "X-factor" stretch (the differential between her upper and lower body) that stores elastic energy like a rubber band.
Off the course, they are friends and training partners. Takigawa has admitted in interviews that watching Shibuno win a major made her believe that her own overseas victory is inevitable. This rivalry is the best thing to happen to Japanese women's golf since the Miyazato vs. Lewis days. Despite her success, Kanon Takigawa is not without flaws. Her aggressive "bomb and gauge" style leads to inconsistency. When her driver is off, she struggles to hit fairways, and because Japanese courses are often lined with deep rough and OB (out of bounds) stakes, she can post high numbers. kanon takigawa
Shibuno plays by feel; Takigawa plays by data. On the course, they are fierce rivals, often battling for the top of the leaderboard. In the 2024 Toto Japan Classic, the two were paired in the final group on Sunday. While Shibuno ultimately won, Takigawa shot a bogey-free 66, proving she could handle the pressure of facing a major champion. Takigawa generates power through an incredible shoulder turn
Her most notable amateur achievement came at the 2020 Japan Women's Open Golf Championship (a professional event). As an amateur, she finished in a tie for 5th place against a field of seasoned professionals. That performance was the moment the Japanese golf media realized that Takigawa was not just a promising amateur; she was a future champion ready to compete immediately. Kanon Takigawa officially joined the JLPGA tour in 2021. Rookie seasons are notoriously brutal on the JLPGA due to the depth of the field and the tight, tree-lined courses that punish errant drives. However, Takigawa adapted quickly. Takigawa has admitted in interviews that watching Shibuno