THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Mao Saigo, battling intense nervousness, sank a crucial 3-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a five-way playoff on Sunday to secure her maiden major title at the Chevron Championship.
The 23-year-old Japanese player, visibly shaking before the decisive shot, managed to find her composure just in time. “I did my best to calm down, and I shot and it went in,” she explained through an interpreter.
Saigo had forced her way into the dramatic finish by making a birdie on the par-5 18th in regulation, carding a 2-under 74. This left her tied at 7-under 281 with Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Lindy Duncan at The Club at Carlton Woods.
The playoff returned to the 18th hole. Saigo`s winning putt followed near-misses from both Ruoning Yin and Ariya Jutanugarn, whose birdie attempts agonizingly lipped out. Jutanugarn had also stumbled on the same hole in regulation, bogeying after hitting her third shot just inches.
Jutanugarn had been the leader for much of the final round, capitalizing on two birdies and an eagle on the front nine, before her late round struggles. “The front nine was very solid especially with the eagle, but back nine just couple mistakes on par 5 that I made; two bogeys,” she commented.
Ruoning Yin appeared to be in the strongest position during the playoff, reaching the green in two shots. However, she missed a 12-foot eagle putt, and her subsequent birdie try also lipped out, opening the door for Saigo.
This victory marks Saigo`s first on the LPGA Tour. The tour`s rookie of the year last season, she becomes the first Japanese winner of this event and the fifth Japanese major champion. She boasts a successful record on the Japanese tour, including five wins in 2022.
Winning here follows two runner-up finishes for Saigo last year at the CPKC Women`s Open and the Buick LPGA Shanghai. “Last year it was a very intense competition,” she reflected. “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.”
For Lindy Duncan, the playoff bogey meant she came up short in her long-standing quest for a first LPGA title. Nevertheless, the 34-year-old expressed satisfaction with her overall performance. “Yeah, top five in a major, any week, is unbelievable; to have a chance, feeling the nerves,” she said. “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 playoff finish echoes the 2023 tournament, where Lilia Vu also won on the first extra hole.
Saigo`s victory earned her $1.2 million from the $8 million prize purse.
Following tradition, Saigo took the celebratory leap into Poppie`s Pond beside the 18th green. While the jump has historically happened at Mission Hills, Saigo is now the third winner to do so in Texas, splashing into the brown-tinged water hand-in-hand with two team members.
The experience proved more adventurous than expected for Saigo, who admitted she isn`t a strong swimmer. “When I went inside it was deep, and at first I thought I was going to drown,” she revealed with a smile.
Saigo had started the day tied for the lead at 9 under with Haeran Ryu. However, she dropped shots with five bogeys on Sunday before her crucial birdie on the 18th forced her into the playoff and set up the thrilling conclusion.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda finished tied for 14th at 2 under after a final round 70. Korda, who won this event last year as part of her record-tying five consecutive victories, is still seeking her first win of the current season. “Obviously, I have a lot to work on,” Korda stated. “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.”
Jasper Hawthorne