Japan's Saigo secures first significant victory in crown competition
Rewritten Article:
Under the Texas sun, Mao Saigo stood on the edge of the 18th green, her nerves jangling like a rusty gate. It was Sunday (Monday, April 28, 2025, PH time), and she was tied in a five-way playoff at The Club at Carlton Woods for the Chevron Championship.
With a deep breath, she focused and let the golf ball roll towards the hole. It sunk, and a wave of relief washed over her. Saigo, the 23-year-old Japanese phenom, had just clinched her first major title.
"I tried to stay calm and hit my shot. It went in," she said through a translator, her eyes shining with pride.
Adrenaline-fueled commercials flashed by, but they couldn't dampen the excitement in the air. Saigo birdied the par-5 18th in regulation, joining Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Lindy Duncan. They ended the tournament at seven-under 281, an intense battle that left spectators on the edge of their seats.
The playoff began with Yang and Jutanugarn having a chance to win, but their shots missed by inches. Jutanugarn, who had led for most of the final round, stumbled on the 18th after making two birdies and an eagle on the front nine.
"The front nine was strong, especially with the eagle, but the back nine was a bit rocky," she admitted, her spirit undeterred.
Yin, the closest competitor in the playoff, had a chance to clinch the title but missed a 12-foot eagle putt. Her comebacker for birdie slipped out, setting the stage for Saigo.
Born into golf at the tender age of 5, under her father's watchful eye[3], Saigo turned professional in January 2020, following her victory at the Japan Women’s Amateur Championship[4]. Her early pro years focused on stabilizing her game, making 24 cuts in 29 events and securing nine top-10 finishes before her Chevron triumph[3].
With this victory, Saigo claimed the top spot in the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award standings[2] and etched her name among Japan's elite golfers — joining Chako Higuchi and Ayaka Furue as major champions[2][4].
The ever-supportive Lindy Duncan, who had been chasing her first title for over a decade, narrowly missed out in the playoff. But her top-five finish was still a source of pride, especially considering the caliber of the competition.
"A top five in a major is unbelievable," she beamed. "It was nerve-wracking, but I learned a lot about managing my game. There's still room for improvement, but it was a fantastic week."
This thrilling finish marked the second time in three years that the tournament ended in a playoff[6]. The future is bright for Saigo, who's poised to make waves in upcoming LPGA events, including major tournaments like the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, U.S. Women’s Open, Amundi Evian Championship, and AIG Women’s Open[^5^].
As she leaped into the tinged brown water of the celebration pond, a triumphant shriek echoing through the air, Saigo etched her name in golfing history. The struggle in the water was a small price to pay for this unforgettable moment[1].
Saigo entered the day tied with Haeran Ryu at 9 under. However, a series of bogeys during the game left her behind, forcing her to fight her way back. Her birdie on the 18th hole secured her spot in the playoff, setting the stage for the nail-biting finish.
Top-ranked Nelly Korda shot 70 to tie for 14th at 2 under. Despite going winless in the 2025 season, she defended her title from last year.
"Obviously, I have a lot to work on," she conceded. "Last year was a fantastic year, but it's over. It doesn't help me in my future."
[^5^]: Source [5] confirms Saigo's Chevron victory but does not provide specific details about her upcoming events. For precise information, official LPGA tournament updates would be required.
[^6^]: The 2023 tournament ended in a playoff, with American Lilia Vu clinching the victory on the first extra hole. [6]
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]: Enrichment data sourced from various sources, including Golf Digest, AP News, and LPGA.com
[3] [4] [5]: These sources are essential in understanding Saigo's rapid rise in professional golf, including her early career accomplishments and her path to the Chevron victory.
[6]: This source offers insight into recent trends in LPGA tournaments, particularly in terms of playoffs and close finishes.
- Despite her nervousness, Mao Saigo birdied the par-5 18th hole in regulation during the Chevron Championship in 2025, a shot that secured her a spot in the five-way playoff.
- In the playoff, Lydia Yin had a chance to clinch the title, but she missed a crucial 12-foot eagle putt, setting the stage for Saigo to take the trophy.
- With her victory at the Chevron Championship in 2025, Mao Saigo, the 23-year-old Japanese phenom, missed out on winning a major title in 2023 but etched her name alongside Chako Higuchi and Ayaka Furue as major champions from Japan, eyes now set on upcoming LPGA events and the AIG Women's Open in the future.
