Mao Saigo Wins Chevron Championship in Dramatic Five-Way Playoff

THE WOODLANDS, Texas

Mao Saigo felt a wave of nervousness wash over her before she attempted her decisive birdie putt on the first playoff hole during Sunday`s dramatic conclusion to the Chevron Championship.

Despite the pressure, the 23-year-old Japanese golfer successfully gathered herself, sinking the short three-foot putt to secure her inaugural major championship victory.

Speaking through an interpreter, she commented, “I focused on calming down, took the shot, and it went in.”

Saigo had carded a 2-under 74 in the final round, making a crucial birdie on the par-5 18th hole in regulation play. This brought her score to 7-under 281, tying her with Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Lindy Duncan at The Club at Carlton Woods, forcing a five-way playoff.

Saigo ultimately clinched the win back on the 18th hole during the playoff, benefiting after both Yin and Jutanugarn saw their birdie attempts narrowly miss. Jutanugarn`s earlier hopes were dashed when she bogeyed the 18th in regulation, following a poor third shot that traveled just inches.

Jutanugarn had held the lead for much of the final round, building momentum with two birdies and an eagle on the front nine before her late misstep.

Reflecting on her round, Jutanugarn stated, “The front nine was very strong, especially the eagle, but on the back nine, I made a couple of mistakes on the par 5s, resulting in two bogeys.”

In the playoff, Yin appeared to have the advantage after reaching the green in two shots. However, her 12-foot eagle putt missed, and the subsequent shorter putt for birdie also lipped out, paving the way for Saigo`s victory.

This win marks Saigo`s first career victory on the LPGA Tour. She was recognized as the tour`s Rookie of the Year last season. She is the first Japanese player to win the Chevron Championship and the fifth Japanese golfer overall to claim a major title. Previously, she had accumulated six victories on the Japanese tour, with five coming in 2022.

Her recent success follows runner-up finishes at the CPKC Women`s Open and the Buick LPGA Shanghai tournaments in the previous year.

Commenting on her journey, she said, “Last year`s competition was very intense. I came so close but couldn`t quite get it done, which was very disappointing. Winning this year and earning the LPGA title makes me extremely excited.”

Lindy Duncan, 34, saw her decade-long pursuit of a first LPGA title fall just short as she bogeyed the playoff hole. Despite the outcome, she expressed satisfaction with her overall performance.

“Finishing in the top five at a major is incredible any week, especially having a chance and feeling the nerves,” Duncan remarked. “I feel there are things I need to learn regarding managing my swing and similar aspects. I`ll reflect on it, but overall, it was a fantastic week.”

This marks the second time in three years that the tournament required a playoff; American Lilia Vu won the event in 2023 by making a birdie on the first extra hole.

Saigo`s victory earned her $1.2 million from the tournament`s total $8 million purse.

Following a tradition dating back to 1988 at Mission Hills, where winners would leap into Poppie`s Pond, Saigo became the third champion to continue the celebration in Texas. She jumped into the brown-tinted water, shrieking and smiling while holding hands with two members of her team.

However, the celebratory dip turned out to be slightly daunting for Saigo, who admitted she isn`t a strong swimmer.

“When I entered the water, it was deep, and initially, I thought I might drown,” she revealed.

Saigo began the final day tied for the lead with Haeran Ryu at 9-under par. However, she dropped shots with five bogeys on Sunday before her crucial birdie on the 18th pulled her back into contention and secured her spot in the playoff for the dramatic conclusion.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda finished tied for 14th at 2-under par after a final round 70. Korda, who has yet to win this season, was the defending champion, having won the event last year as part of her historic run of five consecutive victories.

Korda commented on her performance, saying, “Clearly, I have a lot to work on. Last year was last year – it was an amazing year, but it`s in the past now and won`t help me going forward.”