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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Chevron champ Saigo takes three-shot US Women's Open lead
CHICAGO: Mao Saigo took aim at a second straight major title on Friday, firing a six-under-par 66 to grab a three-shot lead over a group including top-ranked Nelly Korda after two rounds of the US Women's Open in Wisconsin. Japan's Saigo, who won a five-way playoff to lift her first major trophy at the Chevron Championship, shrugged off a spectacular piece of bad luck to build a 36-hole total of 136 at Erin Hills. Korda posted a five-under-par 67 to headline a group of six players on 139. Saigo, 23, last year's LPGA Rookie of the Year, said her victory at the Chevron in April had given her new confidence but hadn't changed her fundamental approach. "I think that I was able to be more confident about my judgments that I make," she said. "However, I would like to play my play rather than thinking about changing myself." She teed off on 10 and gained ground quickly with birdies at 11 and 12, but needed all of her mental poise after disappointment at the par-five 14th, where her third shot hit the flagstick and bounced back into a bunker. Instead of a birdie she ended up with her only bogey of the day. "I thought that was not my mistake, I just thought to myself that it was unlucky and then I just changed my mind," added Saigo, who posted five more birdies, including three in a row at the 18th, first and second holes. Saigo can expect a strong weekend challenge from Korda after the American posted her best round score ever at a US Open, a tournament in which her best finish was a tie for eighth in 2022. "I feel like I've had a very complicated relationship with US Opens," Korda said. "But I'm happy to be in the position I am heading into the weekend." After just one birdie and one bogey in her even-par first round, Korda finally saw some putts drop in a five-under effort that featured seven birdies. "Honestly, I was hitting really good putts yesterday," Korda said. "I was hitting it exactly where I wanted to and they just weren't falling. "Today I did the same thing, I didn't really try to do anything different... so hopefully I can keep trending in the right direction heading into the weekend." Korda was tied with Japan's Hinako Shibuno, Americans Yealimi Noh and Sarah Schmelzel, South Korean Kim A-lim and Sweden's Maja Stark. Kim and Noh were among six players who shared the first-round lead, each carding a one-under 71. Kim, the 2020 US Open champion, shook off an early bogey to reach six-under with birdies at the seventh, eighth and 14th. She was playing the 17th when thunderstorms halted play for almost an hour, returning to complete her par before a disappointing bogey at 18 where she was in the rough off the tee then found a greenside bunker. Schmelzel had reached six-under with five birdies in her first seven holes, but gave a stroke back with a late bogey that left her with a 68. Former British Open champion Shibuno was six-under through 17 holes but bogeyed the last for a 69. Noh capped her one-under round with birdies at her last two holes, the eighth and ninth, while Stark had six birdies and three bogeys in her 69. The demanding Erin Hills layout claimed some notable victims.
France 24
4 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Chevron champ Saigo takes three-shot US Women's Open lead
Japan's Saigo, who won a five-way playoff to lift her first major trophy at the Chevron Championship, shrugged off a spectacular piece of bad luck to build a 36-hole total of 136 at Erin Hills. Korda posted a five-under-par 67 to headline a group of six players on 139. Saigo, 23, last year's LPGA Rookie of the Year, said her victory at the Chevron in April had given her new confidence but hadn't changed her fundamental approach. "I think that I was able to be more confident about my judgments that I make," she said. "However, I would like to play my play rather than thinking about changing myself." She teed off on 10 and gained ground quickly with birdies at 11 and 12, but needed all of her mental poise after disappointment at the par-five 14th, where her third shot hit the flagstick and bounced back into a bunker. Instead of a birdie she ended up with her only bogey of the day. "I thought that was not my mistake, I just thought to myself that it was unlucky and then I just changed my mind," added Saigo, who posted five more birdies, including three in a row at the 18th, first and second holes. Saigo can expect a strong weekend challenge from Korda after the American posted her best round score ever at a US Open, a tournament in which her best finish was a tie for eighth in 2022. "I feel like I've had a very complicated relationship with US Opens," Korda said. "But I'm happy to be in the position I am heading into the weekend." Korda trending After just one birdie and one bogey in her even-par first round, Korda finally saw some putts drop in a five-under effort that featured seven birdies. "Honestly, I was hitting really good putts yesterday," Korda said. "I was hitting it exactly where I wanted to and they just weren't falling. "Today I did the same thing, I didn't really try to do anything different... so hopefully I can keep trending in the right direction heading into the weekend." Korda was tied with Japan's Hinako Shibuno, Americans Yealimi Noh and Sarah Schmelzel, South Korean Kim A-lim and Sweden's Maja Stark. Kim and Noh were among six players who shared the first-round lead, each carding a one-under 71. Kim, the 2020 US Open champion, shook off an early bogey to reach six-under with birdies at the seventh, eighth and 14th. She was playing the 17th when thunderstorms halted play for almost an hour, returning to complete her par before a disappointing bogey at 18 where she was in the rough off the tee then found a greenside bunker. Schmelzel had reached six-under with five birdies in her first seven holes, but gave a stroke back with a late bogey that left her with a 68. Former British Open champion Shibuno was six-under through 17 holes but bogeyed the last for a 69. Noh capped her one-under round with birdies at her last two holes, the eighth and ninth, while Stark had six birdies and three bogeys in her 69. The demanding Erin Hills layout claimed some notable victims. World number two Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand and defending champion Yuka Saso of Japan were well outside the projected cut line of even par when darkness halted play with a dozen players on the course.
Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Chevron Championship: Golf World Reacts to Unbelievably Tragic End
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mao Saigo won the 2025 Chevron Championship, proving that her LPGA Rookie of the Year award last season was no fluke. The final round of the event, however, will also likely be remembered for an unfortunate ending for another. Ariya Jutanugarn starred in one of the most heartbreaking scenes when she missed a chip attempt on the 18th hole. She did not miss the chip as in she hit a poor shot. No, she quite literally missed the chip on the 72nd hole of the tournament. The Thai golfer held a one-shot lead and par on the final hole would have given her the third major title of her professional career. Several video clips of the moment have gone viral on social media and fans have been reacting massively. "I don't want to be her tonight. No sleep," @SpartanLope said. "We've all been there," @JFitGolf posted. "Ugh been there done that," @soflogolfing said. "I did that today," @maccoolm posted. "One of us!" @PatrickPMaguir1 wrote. Jutanugarn finished with a bogey on the 18th hole, tying her with four other players. She could not match Saigo's birdie on the first playoff hole, tying as the event's runner-up. The 12-time LPGA Tour winner started the final round on a hot streak, making an eagle and two birdies with no bogeys in her first eight holes. However, she was unable to maintain that pace and carded three bogeys and no birdies the rest of the day. "The front nine was very solid, especially with the eagle, but on the back nine just a couple mistakes on par-5 that I made; two bogeys," she said after her performance. Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand looks on from the 18th tee during the final round of The Chevron Championship 2025 at The Club at Carlton Woods on April 27, 2025 in The Woodlands, Texas. Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand looks on from the 18th tee during the final round of The Chevron Championship 2025 at The Club at Carlton Woods on April 27, 2025 in The Woodlands, her confidence does not seem to have been affected too much by this tough setback. "I did really well for the rest of the tournament, and I'm very happy. Just beyond my have to keep working on what's good and probably have to do some short game, improve my short game a little bit. Overall, it's great, and I'm very happy with the process that I have been going through." Jutanugarn began her professional golf career in 2012 and joined the LPGA Tour in 2015. Her illustrious resume includes victories at the 2016 AIG Women's Open and the 2018 Women's US Open. She was named LPGA Player of the Year in both 2016 and 2018, and in 2018, she also received the Vare Trophy (to the season's lowest average score) and the Rolex Annika Major Award (to the season's best overall player in major championships). More Golf: Rory McIlroy Wild Walk-Off Eagle Puts Zurich Classic Defense in Sight
Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Chevron Championship Winner's Plunge Nearly Turns Fatal in Crazy Twist
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japanese golfer Mao Saigo made history Sunday, outlasting four other LPGA stars to win the Chevron Championship in a five-way playoff. It was the most women to compete in the playoff in LPGA major championship history, according to The Athletic's Justin Ray. She also became the fourth woman in the last 20 years to win a major the season after claiming the LPGA Rookie of the Year title. But it was not all fun for Saigo. After making birdie on the first playoff hole to win the tournament, the 23-year-old decided to continue tradition by leaping into the lake. The only problem: Saigo does not know how to swim. "I was a bit too shy to jump in the pond by myself so I wanted to invite other people to jump in the pond with me," she said through her interpreter after the win. "I'm not really a good swimmer. When I went inside it was deep and at first I thought I was going to drown." After Saigo, her manager, Rika Arai, and television reporter Mitsuki Katahira jumped into the water, her caddie, Jeffrey Snow, and two other men followed suit. Mao Saigo of Japan (C) jumps in the pond on the 18th hole after winning The Chevron Championship 2025 in a playoff at The Club at Carlton Woods on April 27, 2025 Mao Saigo of Japan (C) jumps in the pond on the 18th hole after winning The Chevron Championship 2025 in a playoff at The Club at Carlton Woods on April 27, 2025Snow later acknowledged that Saigo had expressed to him that she is unable to swim. Onlookers celebrating her victory were completely unaware of what was transpiring in front of them. Nor did they recognize just how frightful the situation had become. "It was scary," Snow said according to Golfweek. "Every time I broke the surface, I got pulled under again," he said. "They were trying to grab someone." At one point, the Chevron Championship winner could be heard calling out for help. She, nor her caddie, were aware of just how deep the water was off of the 18th green. Thankfully, everyone escaped unscathed and the 2024 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year winner can celebrate. The tradition of jumping into the pond dates back to 1988. Saigo did not have her best stuff on Sunday, carding a 2-over 74. But she got a bit lucky when Ariya Jutanugarn bogeyed the 72nd hole, dropping into the five-way tie. Mao Saigo was the only one to birdie the first playoff hole (18), defeating major champions Ariya Jutanugarn, Ruoning Yin, Hyo Joo Kim and American Lindy Duncan in the playoff. More Golf: PGA Tour Championship Ditching 'Gimmicky' Starting Strokes Format
New Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Japan's Saigo wins playoff for LPGA Chevron title and first major win
HOUSTON: Japan's Mao Saigo birdied the first extra hole to win a five-woman playoff and capture her first major title on Sunday at the LPGA Chevron Championship. Saigo sank a tension-packed birdie putt on the 18th hole in regulation to fire a final-round two-over par 74 at Carlton Woods and finish 72 holes on seven-under 281 just to reach the playoff. At the 18th again in the playoff, Saigo sank a four-foot birdie putt to capture the crown after clutch putt misses by her rivals. Saigo, a 23-year-old who was last year's LPGA Rookie of the Year, defeated China's Yin Ruoning, South Korean Kim Hyo-joo, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and American Lindy Duncan in the playoff. "It was my dream to earn this major. I was able to realize my dream and I'm very happy," Saigo said. "It means a lot that I made a birdie putt on 18. That gave me more confidence for the playoff." Saigo plans to carry that confidence boost into the remainder of the campaign. "I'm extremely excited," she said. "I still have four more majors to go and I want to shoot for number one in the world." The playoff was at the par-five 18th and Yin reached the green in two by blasting over a water hazard. Saigo and Ariya each went over the green with their second shots, Duncan was short of the green in three and Kim found the green near Yin's ball with her third shot. Ariya and Saigo missed their eagle bids, setting the stage for Yin's eagle attempt to win from about 12 feet. It went eight feet past the hole as tension mounted. Kim missed her birdie putt, Duncan missed a 10-foot par putt and tapped in for bogey, then Yin lipped out a birdie putt and tapped in for par. Ariya lipped out on her eight-foot birdie putt and tapped in for par, leaving Saigo to sink her four-foot birdie for the triumph. "I was shaking from nervousness, but I did my best to calm down and I shot and it went in," Saigo said. Ariya had botched a chip on the 72nd hole in regulation and made a bogey that dropped her into a share of the lead, helping to deny her a third major victory and first in seven years. "Overall I'm very happy," Ariya said. "Back nine just a couple mistakes, but I did really well the rest of the tournament. It has built my confidence for the rest of the season for sure." Yin and Kim each sought a second career major while Duncan settled for her first top-10 major finish. Saigo had more tense moments after the victory when she took the traditional winner's leap into a pond. "I'm not really a good swimmer," she said. "When I went inside it was deep and at first I thought I was going to drown." She's less worried about celebrating and more concerned about keeping her focus for upcoming events. "Next week and the week after, I really need to be in the zone for the tournaments," she said. "I'm so happy I can't even think about how I'm going to celebrate. Off the top of my head, I want my manager to cook something really good and then give me some rest." Ariya led by a stroke at the 18th tee in regulation and blasted her second shot from the fairway over the green and off the grandstand. Stunningly, she then miss-hit a chip from the rough that barely moved the ball before sending her fourth shot 15 feet beyond the hole. She missed the comeback attempt and made bogey, falling into a share of the lead with Kim and Yin. Saigo and Duncan each birdied the 18th to reach the playoff. --AFP
