ODDS and EVENS | Mao Saigo Captures Maiden Major in a Five-Player Playoff

It will be impossible for Mao Saigo to ever forget how she won her first LPGA Tour title. After all, she captured the tournament title in the first five-player playoff in LPGA history.

For Saigo, a birdie on the par-5 18th hole secured a spot for her in the playoff at The Chevron Championship, the first women's golf major of 2025.

That gave Saigo a 2-over 74 (with three birdies and five bogeys) in the fourth round on Sunday, April 27 in The Woodlands, Texas, after carding 70, 68 and 69 in succession in the first three rounds. After the fourth round, Saigo's scorecard showed 7-under 281, the same total amassed by China's Ruoning Yin, South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and Lindy Duncan of the United States.

And then the gathered crowd at The Club at Carlton Woods, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus, witnessed this history-making conclusion to The Chevron Championship.

In the playoff, the action returned to the 18th hole, where Kim, Yin and Jutanugarn all shot par. Duncan slipped out of contention with a bogey.

That gave Saigo a chance to win it ― and avoid the possibility of a second playoff hole.  

The Chiba Prefecture native sealed the win with a 5-foot birdie putt. A riveting ― and nerve-wracking ― conclusion for the 23-year-old.

What was going through Saigo's mind on the playoff hole?

"I was so laser-focused and nervous and really in the zone," Saigo told reporters. "All I could think of was the ball in front of me. I couldn't see anything else."

She added, "I was shaking from nervousness, but I did my best to calm down and I shot it and it went in."

Mao Saigo Joins Elite Company

Entering the final round on Sunday, Saigo and South Korea's Haeran Ryu were tied for the lead at 9-under.

Although it was her worst round of the tournament, which started with a bogey, Saigo came through in the clutch, making two big shots ― the back-to-back birdies on the 18th hole.

As a result, she became the fifth Japanese woman to win one of the LPGA Tour's five majors. The others: Hisako Higuchi (1977 LPGA Championship), Hinako Shibuno (2019 Women's British Open), Yuka Saso (2021 and 2024 US Women's Open) and Ayaka Furue (2024 Evian Championship). 

Saigo was the LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2024, a year in which she had seven top-10 finishes, including two runner-up finishes.

"I was so close but I was not able to make it," Saigo said, looking back at her 2024 season, during a news conference. "It was very disappointing. This year I was able to win and earn an LPGA title and I'm extremely excited about this."

After winning her first major, Saigo also outlined her ambitious goals as a pro golfer. 

"I still have four more majors to go, and I want to shoot for number one in the world," she said before adding, "I will do my best in the remaining four majors."

The US Women's Open (May 29-June 1), in Erin, Wisconsin, is the second major of the year. 

A Big Leap in the Rankings

In the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings updated on Monday, April 28, Mao Saigo climbed from 24th to 13th.

Indeed, her victory in Texas propelled her many spots closer to the top 10. It also produced a surreal feeling for Saigo.

"This is like dreaming," she said, describing Sunday's triumph. "It was one of my big dreams and goals this year so I still can't believe it."

RELATED:

• [ODDS and EVENS] Rio Takeda Showcases Talent at Blue Bay LPGA in China
• [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Golfer Mao Saigo Off to a Great Start in the JLPGA Tour Season

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.