Mao Saigo of Japan won her maiden Major championship by winning a thrilling and unprecedented five-woman playoff at the Chevron Championship on April 27 in The Woodlands, Texas. Saigo hammered in a pivotal five-foot birdie putt at The Club at Carlton Woods, fulfilling a long-held desire. Starting the day tied for the lead with South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran, Saigo shot a two-over-par 74 and needed a birdie at the par-five 18th to make the playoff.
Yin Ruoning of China, Kim Hyo-joo of South Korea, Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, and American Lindy Duncan all finished at seven-under-par 281. It featured the biggest playoff field in LPGA Major history. Ariya appeared to be on track for victory, but she failed at the final hole after a mistake in which she barely struck her ball, resulting in a costly bogey. Except for Saigo, no other player was able to capitalise throughout the playoffs. Yin sank her birdie attempt, but Kim, Ariya, and Duncan all missed theirs.
Saigo’s patient approach to her pitch shot led to the winning birdie. With six wins on the LPGA of Japan Tour, this was her first victory on American soil. Saigo is now aiming for the world No. 1 ranking.
