Hataji’s celebrated victory was his first as a professional, but the 31-year-old progressed further in spectacular fashion in 2024 after returning to the Japan Golf Tour. He secured his first victory in Japan at the Kansai Open, with four birdies on the closing nine to win by three shots.
Hataji went on to claim his second victory on the Japan Golf Tour at the Vantelin Tokai Classic in September, where he again finished strongly with two birdies in the final four holes to win by one shot.
Hataji’s outstanding 2024 has seen him rise into the top 10 on the Japan Golf Tour money list.