I heard that you started wearing Admiral wear when you were in high school. How did you end up wearing Admiral?

In the golf club at my high school (Takikawa Second High School), third-year students have the privilege of choosing the uniform they will wear for official matches, so when I was in my third year, I chose Admiral. I remember about 10 of us going to Daimaru in Kobe to buy it (laughs). It was pink and navy.

I see. But why did you choose Admiral out of all the clothing options available at the time?

Frankly speaking, it was because it was cute. Even before I decided on it, my sister (professional golfer Natsuka Hori) and I were talking about how "Admiral is cute, isn't it?" I think that was the main reason.

How did you do in the team competition wearing Admiral?

Until then, I hadn't been able to win a prize at the national tournament, but I was able to get third place. The Admiral became a memorable piece of clothing. By the way, I heard that the clothing worn by someone at the time has been passed down to younger generations, and that they are still wearing it today (laughs). I think they probably wear it during practice rounds, though.

That's amazing! It seems like it's become a tradition for the golf club.

That's true, but even so, it's simply amazing that it can still be worn after 10 years. That shows how durable it is (laughs).

That's true (laughs). So, did wearing Admiral in high school lead you to continue wearing Admiral as a professional now?

That's right. When I was in high school, a photo of me wearing Admiral was published in a magazine, which led to me being approached about a contract. I've always known how good it was, so I'm still happy to wear it.

Please tell us what points you look for in golf wear when competing as a professional.

There are many factors to consider, such as elasticity, ease of movement, and fit. For professional golfers, even in the cold winter, wearing too many layers restricts movement, so it is important to be able to play with as little clothing as possible. Therefore, heat retention is also an important factor.

I see. Admiral has cleared all those requirements.

Yes. I am always satisfied with the finished product, so much so that I hardly ever make any requests in terms of materials or functionality. I have never felt that it was difficult to move in. It stretches well and responds well to twisting movements of the body. In fact, I don't have the size altered for my own use, so I use almost the same items as commercially available ones (laughs). It fits my body well, is light, and is warm in the winter. I think it is clothing that improves performance.

Of course functionality is important, but I think design and appearance are also important.

For me, that's more important (laughs). When I'm spending the day playing golf, I want to wear something that makes me feel good. In that sense, Admiral's clothing is cute, colorful, and has a wide variety of designs, so I look forward to wearing it.

After all, professionals are seen by a lot of people.

That's right. Admiral clothing rarely turns white when sweat dries. I think this is thanks to its excellent breathability and quick-drying properties, but I also think it's a very important aspect in terms of appearance.

When you go to a game, how do you choose what to wear that day?

I bring all the gear I own, then lay them out in my hotel room the night before and think, "Which one should I get...?" (laughs) That's how it goes.

It seems like you'll end up carrying a lot of luggage every time (laughs).

That's right, I always have a lot of luggage (laughs). When I'm worried, I sometimes spend about 15 minutes thinking about it.

That just goes to show how important choice is. So, do you have any standards for what you should wear on certain occasions?

That's right... When I want to look calm today, I choose calming colors like white or navy. When it's the most important time, when I'm in a pinch, when I want to get pumped up, I choose my competition clothes. I like red and pink, so my competition clothes are in those colors.

Indeed, if you look at the photo of you when you won, you can see red in it.

That's right. This time it was just a coincidence, but both times I wore red. It really gets you fired up (laughs). The first time I won, it was in Hokkaido, so I think the stronger impression is that it was cold (laughs).

What about your style? Is there anything you pay particular attention to when coordinating your outfits?

The items I choose vary depending on my mood at the time, but I usually wear a simple polo shirt with patterned bottoms. If one has a pattern, I tend to keep the other simple. I also like to incorporate lucky colors. I pay a lot of attention to things like fortune telling (laughs).

There are probably people who are inspired to take up golf after seeing you play, and there are also regular players who are inspired to try wearing Admiral apparel. Do you have any advice for them in terms of how to wear it?

First of all, it's best to choose something that you think is "cute!" or "cool!" Then, think about how to coordinate it. For example, if your top is a bright color, choose a more subdued color for your bottoms, or try to create contrast by keeping it monotone. I think using colors like that will make it stand out.

Admiral has a wide variety of design items, so it seems like there are lots of different things to try out.

I think so. The patterns are unique and cute, and there are many variations. Simple designs can be worn as everyday clothing, and are recommended for beginner golfers. I would love for many people to try them out.

Female golfers in particular want to play in cute clothing.

I also get excited when new clothing arrives in early spring (laughs).

I will continue to support Pro Hori as he competes wearing Admiral. Finally, could you tell us your goals for this season?

Yes. I will be wearing Admiral again this year and will do my best to achieve multiple victories. Please support me!