Japan’s Shingo Katayama is living up to his reputation as one of the most colourful and coolest players in world golf at the SMBC Singapore Open.
With his signature cowboy hat, logo-emblazoned shirt and the loudest of golf pants, Katayama is dressing to impress at Sentosa Golf Club.
Katayama, known as the “Cat in the Hat” because of his flamboyant headgear, is regularly the most photographed player at tournaments and enjoys icon status in Japan.
Currently world ranked 61st, he backs up his style with substantial substance having won 29 times on the Japan Golf Tour, topped the moneylist on five occasions and earned more than US$17 million in prize money.
Katayama, who will celebrate his 43rd birthday on Sunday, says his on course fashion choices – including a skull logo on his sleeve and colourful trousers – reflect his “combative instinct”.
“When I play golf, I am fighting as a man,” he said. “I have a combative instinct all over me.”
