Nasa Hataoka had a major breakthrough year with two victories on the LPGA Tour in 2018, Hideki Matsuyama's frustrating season saw the former world No. 2 sliding down the men's rankings.
Hataoka rose to stardom in only her second year on the U.S. pro tour, flying the flag for Japan as the memory of now-retired veteran players like former world No. 1 Ai Miyazato faded.
The 19-year-old won her maiden title at the NW Arkansas Championship in June, setting a 21-under-par tournament record along the way, and before even turning 20 eclipsed Mika Miyazato as the youngest Japanese LPGA Tour winner.