Japan has seen bear attacks skyrocket over the last few years, including a record 219 people attacked and 12 deaths between April 2023 and April 2024. Due to climate change and depopulation, bears appear to be venturing into nearby towns more often, including one waltzing into an Akita grocery store last December.
This brings us to the Twinfields Ladies tournament, as part of the second-tier Step Up tour, in central Japan. After two rounds at Golf Club Twin Fields, the event was promptly canceled when a bear was spotted on the course on Saturday. Better safe than sorry. The organizers said that they made the decision to protect players and spectators.
Yoshimasa Nakano
Yoshimasa Nakano
Yoshimasa Nakano
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The leader heading into the weekend, Reina Maeda, was declared the winner at six under through the first two rounds. The 19-year-old earned 2.7 million yen (about $19,000) for the victory. “I was very surprised, but I’m very happy,” she said.
This comes hot on the heels of an animal-laden PGA Championship with snapping turtles (and snakes) delaying play at Quail Hollow. As much as we don’t want to run into those reptiles, they’re very much not bears. And with a record number of attacks lately, it makes sense that the Twinfield Ladies tournament didn’t want to add to those numbers.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
