THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Mao Saigo experienced significant nervousness before attempting a critical birdie putt on the opening hole of a five-way playoff Sunday during the Chevron Championship.
Despite the pressure, the 23-year-old Japanese golfer successfully regained her composure in time to sink the 3-foot putt and secure her inaugural major title.
Speaking through an interpreter, she shared, “I did my best to calm down and I shot and it went in.”
Saigo earned her spot in the playoff by carding a 2-under 74 in regulation, concluding with a birdie on the par-5 18th. This resulted in a five-way tie at 7-under 281 at The Club at Carlton Woods, involving Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn, Lindy Duncan, and Saigo herself.
The playoff was contested on the 18th hole, where Saigo emerged victorious after both Yin and Jutanugarn saw their birdie attempts lip out. Jutanugarn had also encountered trouble on the 18th in regulation, bogeying the hole following a poorly executed third shot.
Ariya Jutanugarn had maintained the lead for the majority of the final round, bolstered by two birdies and an eagle on the front nine, before her late misstep.
Reflecting on her round, she stated, “The front nine was very solid especially with the eagle, but back nine just couple mistakes on par 5 that I made; two bogeys.”
In the playoff, Ruoning Yin had the prime opportunity, reaching the green in two strokes. However, her 12-foot eagle putt missed, and her subsequent birdie putt also lipped out, paving the way for Saigo`s win.
This victory marks Mao Saigo`s first title on the LPGA Tour. She was recognized as the tour`s rookie of the year last season. Saigo is the first Japanese player to win this event and becomes Japan`s fifth women`s major champion. She has also achieved six victories on the Japanese tour, with five occurring in 2022.
The major win follows Saigo`s runner-up finishes at the CPKC Women`s Open and Buick LPGA Shanghai during the previous year.
Saigo expressed her excitement, saying, “Last year it was a very intense competition. I was so close but I was not able to make it. It was very disappointing. This year I was able to win and earn the LPGA title and I`m extremely excited about this.”
Lindy Duncan, aged 34, bogeyed the playoff hole, falling short in her more than decade-long pursuit of a first professional title. Despite this, she remained positive about her overall performance.
“Yeah, top five in a major, any week, is unbelievable; to have a chance, feeling the nerves,” she commented. “And I feel like I have some things to learn about how to handle my swing and things like that. I`ll reflect on it [but] yeah, but what a week.”
This year`s event marks the second time in three years that the Chevron Championship has concluded with a playoff, following American Lilia Vu`s victory on the first extra hole in 2023.
Saigo earned $1.2 million from the tournament`s total $8 million purse.
Continuing a popular tradition from the tournament`s former home, Saigo became the third champion to leap into the brown-tinged waters of Poppie`s Pond near the 18th green in Texas. She entered the pond holding hands with two members of her team, visibly shrieking and smiling.
However, the experience proved somewhat challenging for Saigo, who admitted she is not a strong swimmer.
“When I went inside it was deep and at first I thought I was going to drown,” she revealed.
Saigo began the final round tied with Haeran Ryu at 9 under par. However, she dropped shots with five bogeys during Sunday`s play before her crucial birdie on the 18th rescued her position and forced the thrilling playoff finish.
World number one Nelly Korda finished tied for 14th at 2 under after a final round 70. Korda, who is yet to win this season, had won this event last year as part of her historic streak of five consecutive victories.
Korda reflected on her performance, stating, “Obviously, I have a lot to work on. Last year was last year. Such an amazing year but it`s in the past. It`s not going to help me with my future.”
