Rookie Sensation Makes History

Move over, everyone—Rio Takeda is here to stay.

If you haven’t heard of Rio Takeda yet, you’re about to. The 21-year-old Japanese rookie just put on a masterclass at the Blue Bay LPGA, winning by a whopping six strokes and finishing at a jaw-dropping 17 under par. Oh, and she did it with a final-round 64—because why not?

This isn’t just any win. It’s her second LPGA victory, making her the first rookie to win on the tour since Haeran Ryu in 2023. And let’s be honest: when you’re winning tournaments by six shots as a rookie, you’re not just playing golf—you’re sending a message.

From Japan to the World Stage

Takeda’s journey to the LPGA has been nothing short of impressive. She first turned heads last fall when she won the Toto Japan Classic in a six-hole playoff against Marina Alex, earning her LPGA status for 2025. Fast forward to this week, and she’s already proving she belongs among the best in the world.

“I’m really happy with this,” Takeda said after her win. “The course layout here is really, really different compared to Japanese courses. I’ve had so many wins on the JLPGA, but this win is meaningful.”

Translation: “I’m not just a local hero anymore—I’m a global superstar.”

A Record-Breaking Performance

Takeda didn’t just win—she dominated. Her six-stroke victory is the largest margin of victory in Blue Bay LPGA history. And who was chasing her? Oh, just Minjee Lee, the two-time major champion, who finished solo second at 11 under. Lee put up a valiant effort, closing with a 67, but even she couldn’t keep up with Takeda’s blistering pace.

“I think for most of the week I was hitting it pretty solid,” Lee said. “But it’s quite hard if you’re not on the right sections of the greens here.”

Translation: “Rio was just on another level.”

What’s Next for Takeda?

With this win, Takeda takes home **$350,000\ast \ast fromthe$2.5 million purse and cements herself as one of the most exciting young players on the LPGA Tour. She’s also the 10th Japanese player to win at least twice on the LPGA, joining an elite group of her countrywomen.

And let’s not forget: this is only her second season on the tour. If this is what she’s capable of as a rookie, the rest of the field should be very, very nervous.

The LPGA’s Spring Swing Wraps Up

The Blue Bay LPGA marked the end of the tour’s three-event swing in Asia. After a two-week break, the action picks up again in Arizona at the Ford Championship (March 27-30). Will Takeda keep the momentum going? Only time will tell, but if her performance this week is any indication, she’s just getting started.

Your Turn: Who’s Your Favorite Rising Star?

At Better Golf Academy, we love celebrating the next generation of golf talent. So, who’s your favorite young player on the LPGA or PGA Tour? Let us know in the comments—and don’t be surprised if Rio Takeda’s name comes up a lot.