In The Woodlands, Texas, a visibly nervous Mao Saigo faced a crucial three-foot birdie putt on the first sudden-death playoff hole at the Chevron Championship on Sunday. The 23-year-old Japanese golfer successfully controlled her composure to make the putt, securing her first major championship victory.
Speaking through an interpreter in Japanese, Saigo commented, “I focused on staying calm, made the shot, and it went in.”
Saigo had previously made a birdie on the par-5 18th during the final round, shooting a 2-under 74. This brought her score to 7-under 281, creating a five-way tie for the lead at The Club at Carlton Woods with Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Lindy Duncan, necessitating the playoff.
The playoff returned to the 18th hole. Saigo emerged victorious after both Ruoning Yin and Ariya Jutanugarn missed their birdie putts, which lipped out. Jutanugarn`s opportunity for a regulation win was lost on the 18th hole when she bogeyed after a short third shot.
Ariya Jutanugarn had held the lead for much of Sunday`s play, benefiting from two birdies and an eagle on the front nine, before her late error. She reflected, “The front nine was very solid, especially with the eagle, but the back nine had a couple of mistakes on par 5s; two bogeys.”
During the playoff, Ruoning Yin was in a strong position, reaching the green in two shots. However, her attempt at a 12-foot eagle putt missed, and her subsequent shorter putt for birdie also lipped out, clearing the way for Saigo to win.
This victory marks Mao Saigo`s maiden win on the LPGA Tour. The previous season, she was named the tour`s rookie of the year. She is the first player from Japan to win the Chevron Championship and becomes the fifth Japanese woman to claim a major title. Saigo also boasts a successful career on the Japanese tour, with six wins, including five in 2022.
Her major win follows two second-place finishes on the LPGA Tour last year at the CPKC Women`s Open and the Buick LPGA Shanghai.
Reflecting on her previous close calls, Saigo stated, “Last year the competition was very intense. I came so close but couldn`t quite get there. That was very disappointing. This year, I managed to win and get an LPGA title, and I`m incredibly excited.”
Lindy Duncan, 34, unfortunately bogeyed the playoff hole, missing out on her long-awaited first career title. Despite the outcome, she expressed satisfaction with her overall performance. “Yeah, a top-five finish in a major is unbelievable any week; just having the chance, feeling the nerves,” she said. “I feel like there are things I need to learn about handling my swing and similar aspects. I`ll definitely reflect on it, but yeah, what a week.”
This playoff marks the second occurrence in the last three years for the Chevron Championship. In 2023, Lilia Vu of the United States won on the first extra hole with a birdie.
Saigo received $1.2 million from the tournament`s total prize fund of $8 million.
Following a tradition dating back to 1988 at Mission Hills, where winners jump into “Poppie`s Pond” near the 18th green, Saigo became the third champion to take the leap into the equivalent water hazard in Texas. Accompanied by two members of her team, she smiled and shrieked upon entering the brownish water.
Saigo later admitted the experience was slightly alarming as she isn`t a strong swimmer. She recounted, “When I went in, it was deep, and initially, I worried I might drown.”
Saigo began the final round tied with Haeran Ryu at 9-under par. However, she dropped five shots on Sunday before her decisive birdie on the 18th pulled her back into the tie for the lead, leading to the dramatic playoff conclusion.
World number one Nelly Korda finished tied for 14th place at 2-under par after shooting a final round of 70. Korda, who hasn`t won yet this season, was the defending champion, having secured the title last year as part of her record-tying five consecutive wins.
She commented on her performance, saying, “Obviously, there`s a lot I need to work on. Last year was last year. It was an amazing year, but it`s in the past now. It won`t help me moving forward.”
