is a Japanese professional golfer.
Early life and amateur career Sonoda was born in Tokyo. He was first trained by his father. After that he has been taught by golf teaching pro, Todd Baker, since he was 10 years old. When Sonoda visited Gold Coast, Australia with his family at age 13, he decided to study in Gold Coast because the town has many golf courses. He spent two years in a junior high school there to pursue his golf game further. He won the Japan National Junior Golf Championship. He decided to return Japan to enter the Suginami-Gakuin High School. He was a high school teammate of Ryo Ishikawa. Ishikawa calls him "King" as he swept all the junior tournaments. They first met in elementary school. In his sophomore year at the Meiji University, he qualified for Japan Golf Tour.
Professional career Sonoda began playing on the Japan Golf Tour in 2010 and won the 2010 Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic. This victory earned him an exemption into the 2010 Open Championship.
Professional wins (3) Japan Golf Tour wins (2) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up127 Jun 2010Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic−15 (70-65-66=201)3 strokes Toru Taniguchi27 Jul 2013Nagashima Shigeo Invitational Sega Sammy Cup−20 (69-71-61-67=268)3 strokes Tomohiro Kondo, Yuki Kono
Japan Golf Tour playoff record (0–2) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result12010Nagashima Shigeo Invitational Sega Sammy Cup Cho Min-gyu, Mamo OsanaiOsanai won with par on fourth extra holeSonoda eliminated by par on second hole22010Fujisankei Classic Ryo IshikawaLost to par on fourth extra hole
Other wins (1) 2008 Sponichi Cup (as an amateur)
Results in major championships Tournament2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015Masters TournamentU.S. OpenCUTThe Open ChampionshipCUTPGA Championship
CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" = tied
Results in World Golf Championships Tournament2010Match PlayChampionshipInvitationalChampionsT58
"T" = Tied
Team appearances Amateur Eisenhower Trophy (representing Japan): 2008
Professional Royal Trophy (representing Asia): 2011
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