Yealimi Noh’s switch to a broomstick putter is paying off in a big way at the Toto Japan Classic, as the 23-year-old American fired off a stellar second-round 65 with only 20 putts on the sloping greens at the Taiheiyo Club Minori Course. Noh now sits just two strokes behind leader Hana Wakimoto, holding a share of second with former World No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn.
Noh’s remarkable performance continues her hot streak—she’s finished inside the top 30 in her last six starts. “For me, last year, I was really struggling with my putting and just needed something new and completely different,” Noh shared. It was her coach and her father who suggested the broomstick putter, and the transition helped her overcome the discomfort she often felt over the ball. “Now, a year after, my stroke has gotten really solid and my speed is great with the putter.”
The impact on her stats has been huge. Noh ranked 130th in putts per green in regulation back in 2022 and improved to 102nd this year; as of now, she’s cracked the top 50, sitting at 41st.
On Friday, Noh’s accuracy was sharp across the course, capped off by a chip-in on the 14th and a blazing string of four birdies from Nos. 4-7. She wasn’t alone in her Friday success—Rio Takeda and Yuna Nishimura also scored 65s, while former No. 1 Jin Young Ko settled into a tie for fifth after a 70.
With the challenging undulation of the course, Noh adapted beautifully. “The greens are very slopey here,” she noted, “A lot more undulation than we’re used to in the States…But it’s a little soft this year, so a little less.”
Meanwhile, Wakimoto, ranked 236th globally, holds the lead and tops the field in birdies with 14. A JLPGA member since 2018, Wakimoto’s best previous finish was fourth at the 2019 AXA Ladies Golf Tournament. Now, with rising stars like Noh on her heels, Wakimoto’s lead will face its toughest test yet in the final rounds.
