Published: 09:21, April 28, 2025
Japan's Saigo overcomes largest-ever major LPGA playoff to win Chevron
By Reuters
Mao Saigo, of Japan, holds the trophy after winning the Chevron Championship LPGA golf tournament  in The Woodlands, Texas, on April 27, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

Japan's Mao Saigo was living the dream after she survived the largest major playoff in LPGA history on Sunday, beating four others in sudden death to win the Chevron Championship.

It was the first major win for the 23-year-old, who was tied for the lead after the first three rounds with South Korean Ryu Hae-ran but carded a two-over par 74 on Sunday after a handful of late errors.

She sunk a birdie putt on the par-five 18th hole just to stay in it, joining China's Yin Ruoning, South Korean Kim Hyo-joo, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and Lindy Duncan of the United States in the playoff.

"It meant a lot that I got a birdie putt on 18 and that gave me more confidence in the playoff," she said in televised remarks.

Mao Saigo, of Japan, hits from the nineth tee during the final round of the Chevron Championship LPGA golf tournament in The Woodlands, Texas, on April 27, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

She won it with another birdie putt on 18 in the lone hole of the playoff, after both Yin and Jutanugarn lipped out attempted birdie putts, drawing gasps from the crowd in The Woodlands, Texas.

"This is like dreaming," said Saigo. "It was one of my big dreams and goals this year so I still can't believe it."

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It was the second-largest playoff across all LPGA competition, with two six-person playoffs previously recorded at non-major events.