Kozuma heads into U.S. Open with momentum after returning from injury

OAKMONT, Pa. – Coming off a spectacular performance last fall at the LIV Golf Team Championship in Dallas – in which a dazzling putting display helped fuel his Iron Heads GC, the lowest-seeded team in the field, to a surprising tie for second – Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma had high hopes for a quick start for 2025.

But during a training session last December, he felt a twinge in his lower back. It turned out to be serious enough to require extended treatment. The recovery was slow, but Kozuma still had hopes to start the season on time in early February in Riyadh.

Just before the first round, however, he was pulled from the starting lineup. Doctors monitored his progress, and he was able to practice, although there were days he was only able to putt and work on his short game. The recovery took time longer than expected. As the Iron Heads were forced to use reserves to fill his spot, Kozuma thought he was letting the team down by not being healthy enough to play.

Asked recently what kind of mental space he was in during that time, Kozuma replied through his translator, “It wasn’t great.”

Finally, in late April – more than four months after the back problems began – Kozuma received the green light to return to action at LIV Golf Mexico City.

He’s been the Iron Heads’ best player since then, producing the team’s best individual result in Mexico City (21st), Korea (T7) and last week in Virginia (T23). With points finishes in all three starts, he now sits a team-best 38th in the standings, with Danny Lee and captain Kevin Na immediately behind him in the next two spots.

Oh, and he also managed to qualify for this week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont, producing a birdie on the first hole of a 4-for-1 playoff to win the final available exemption at the final qualifying event in Japan on May 19.

It’ll be Kozuma’s third career major start and first since 2022 when he missed the cut at both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship.

“I’m playing a lot better now than I was three years ago,” he said. “Feeling very confident. Just really looking forward to it.”

Kozuma flashed his high-wattage smile, an indication he’s found his happy place again after the lengthy absence. It’s a far different feeling than a few months ago when he was churning through a variety of specialists and undergoing acupuncture sessions in hopes of solving his back issue.

“I didn’t know when I could come back,” he said. “Lot of pressure, lot of anxiety during that time. It took longer than I thought.”

When he did return in Mexico City, he wasn’t overflowing with excitement. Nervous, he was asked? “Yeah,” he responded. “I didn’t want to disappoint the team. That was more in my head than excitement.”

He was 4 over after two rounds at Chapultepec and languishing in a tie for 42nd. But he shot a final-round 6-under 65 to move inside the top 24 that receive points. He followed with rounds of 68-70-70 in Korea the next week and was never outside the top 10 after any round.

Another terrific final round in Virginia, a 7-under 64, propelled him to his third consecutive points finish.

“The last round in Mexico helped,” he said. “I hit it well. Played well. Had confidence going to Korea.”

Plus, he was contributing to the team.

“After coming back, if I played well, I thought I could bring something out of everyone,” he said. “Just hoping to make everybody happy with that good team environment.”

While the team is finally whole again, it has yet to be reflected in the results. But the Iron Heads showed last year that they are capable of making noise late in the season and are hoping that Yubin Jang, the team’s off-season acquisition after winning player of the year honors last year on the Korean tour, will find his comfort zone.

As for Kozuma, the goal is two-fold for the rest of the LIV Golf campaign – 1) be a positive factor for the Iron Heads and 2) earn his way into the top-24 Lock Zone to guarantee his spot next season. Missing the first five events has forced him to play catch-up, but momentum is on his side now, replacing the frustration of just a few months ago.