First Japanese Champion in Tournament History

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — The Chevron Championship concluded in spectacular fashion Sunday with a five-way playoff that delivered one of the most memorable finishes in the tournament’s history.

Mao Saigo, the 23-year-old Japanese player and reigning LPGA Rookie of the Year, emerged victorious with a birdie on the first playoff hole, sinking a pressure-packed 3-footer to claim her first major championship and LPGA Tour title.

“I did my best to calm down and I shot and it went in,” said Saigo through a translator, admitting she was “shaking with nervousness” before the crucial putt.

Saigo, Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn and Lindy Duncan all finished regulation at 7-under 281 at The Club at Carlton Woods. The playoff was contested on the par-5 18th hole, where both Yin and Jutanugarn had birdie attempts that dramatically lipped out before Saigo sealed the victory.

Dramatic Final Round

The tournament featured several compelling storylines, particularly Jutanugarn’s near-miss. The Thai star led for most of the final round after making two birdies and an eagle on the front nine, but stumbled on the 18th hole in regulation when she stubbed her third shot only inches forward, leading to a bogey that forced the playoff.

“The front nine was very solid especially with the eagle, but back nine just couple mistakes on par 5 that I made; two bogeys,” Jutanugarn explained.

For Duncan, the 34-year-old American’s decade-long quest for her first LPGA title continues after she bogeyed the playoff hole. Despite the disappointment, she remained positive about her performance.

“Yeah, top five in a major, any week, is unbelievable; to have a chance, feeling the nerves,” Duncan said. “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 what a week.”

Tradition Continues

Saigo became just the third champion to make the celebratory leap into the water hazard since the tournament moved to Texas from its longtime home at Mission Hills in California, where winners had been jumping into Poppie’s Pond since 1988.

The experience proved more challenging than expected for Saigo, who revealed, “When I went inside it was deep and at first I thought I was going to drown,” noting that she isn’t a strong swimmer.

The victory, worth $1.2 million from the $8 million purse, follows Saigo’s runner-up finishes at the CPKC Women’s Open and Buick LPGA Shanghai last year. She becomes the first Japanese winner in tournament history and the fifth major champion from Japan.

Defending champion and world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who won last year during her record-tying streak of five consecutive victories, shot a final-round 70 to tie for 14th at 2-under.

“Obviously, I have a lot to work on,” Korda said. “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.”