Mao Saigo Wins Epic 5-Woman Playoff at Chevron Championship
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The 2025 Chevron Championship carved its name into LPGA history. Although this time, not just through the impressive scores, but with its largest playoff in LPGA major history.
It unfolded as the top 5 leading golfers - Ruoning Yin, Hyo Joo Kim, Lindy Duncan, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Mao Saigo tied in the final round, finishing 72 holes at 7-under par on Sunday.
But the ultimate leap in Poppie's Pond was taken by the 23-year-old Japanese player Mao Saigo, who won the five-way playoff, sinking a 3-foot birdie putt in the first hole.
This was her first LPGA Major win following her runner-up finishes at the CPKC Women's Open and Buick LPGA Shanghai last year.
"Last year it was a very intense competition," Saigo recalled.
"I was so close but I was not able to make it. It was very disappointing. This year I was able to win and earn the LPGA title, and I'm extremely excited about this," Saigo admitted as she raised the trophy, defeating past champion Nelly Korda.
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - APRIL 03: Lydia Ko of New Zealand holds the trophy after the final round of the 2016 ANA Inspiration at the Mission Hills Country Club on April 3, 2016 in Rancho...
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - APRIL 03: Lydia Ko of New Zealand holds the trophy after the final round of the 2016 ANA Inspiration at the Mission Hills Country Club on April 3, 2016 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by) More
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Interestingly, things might have turned out differently Jutanugarn's tragic 72nd hole hadn't ended the way it did. The emotion was also echoed by the Thai professional, as she expressed:
"And still, I still think I had a good chance out there," as she finished tied for second place.
Whereas the 11-year LPGA veteran, Lindy Duncan, who is still awaiting her first LPGA title, shared the moment that will be glued in her memories.
"I have so many great memories for this day and I will remember the putt I made [to make the playoff] forever," Duncan said.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that it was indeed one of the best moments, as Lindy Duncan had a long eagle putt from off the green on the par-5 18th hole, with which she could have won the tournament, but the putt came up short.
But the 34-year-old made a 12-foot long birdie putt to step into the playoff battle.
What a moment!
Lindy Duncan putts her way into the five-way playoff! pic.twitter.com/RHbM9YcKLp — LPGA (@LPGA) April 27, 2025
"That was the loudest I've ever heard on a golf course. The cheering was incredible. To make a putt like that to get into the playoff, I'll remember forever."
"Just walking the fairways people were chanting, go Lindy, and it was really, really fun," the LPGA veteran expressed during the post-tournament conference.
Meanwhile, Hyo Joo Kim's remarkable performance earned her a spot in the playoff, but ultimately ended in a runner-up finish.
"I think I really did well today, and I did, but because we had a playoff, there's some disappointment," Kim said. "But in the current condition I'm in, I really did my best and I think I played well."
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