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Kyodo News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Golf: Japan's Mao Saigo wins 1st LPGA major of year in 5-way playoff
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 14:38 | Sports, All Japanese golfer Mao Saigo captured her first career title on the U.S. LPGA Tour on Sunday, winning the Chevron Championship major in a five-way playoff. The 23-year-old won with a birdie on the first extra hole, the par-5 18th, at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas. Saigo became the fifth LPGA major champion from Japan and first since Ayaka Furue won the Amundi Evian Championship last July. The other winners are Hisako "Chako" Higuchi at the 1977 LPGA Championship, Hinako Shibuno at the 2019 Women's British Open and Yuka Saso at the U.S. Women's Open in 2021 and 2024. On the men's side, Hideki Matsuyama won the Masters Tournament in 2021. Saigo birdied the final hole of regulation to join South Korea's Kim Hyo Joo, China's Yin Ruoning, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and Lindy Duncan of the United States at 7 under for the tournament. Saigo, a six-time winner on the top-tier Japanese tour, won the LPGA Rookie of the Year award in 2024 after securing seven top-10 finishes. "I've always dreamed of winning (on the U.S. tour)," said Saigo, who earned a winner's prize of $1.2 million. "The birdie at No. 18 (in regulation) gave me confidence for the playoff. I had some tough times, having been unable to win tournaments I wanted to win, but now I'm so happy to get my first win at a major." Saigo began the day tied for the lead with South Korea's Ryu Hae Ran and struggled for most of the final round, especially on the back nine. The Chiba Prefecture native bogeyed the 10th, 11th and 15th holes on her way to a 2-over 74. She carded three birdies and five bogeys. Ryu and South Korean compatriot Ko Jin Young shared sixth place with Sarah Schmelzel of the United States, two strokes out of the playoff. Furue and her countrywomen Chisato Iwai and Miyu Yamashita tied for 30th at 2 over for the tournament. Related coverage: Football: Kaoru Mitoma nets equalizer in Brighton's 3-2 win over West Ham Baseball: Ohtani back in groove, Sasaki solid as Dodgers beat Pirates Snowboarding: Rivalry, training refinements elevate big air in Japan
Kyodo News
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Golf: Japan's Iwai runner-up to Sweden's Lindblad at LPGA event in LA
KYODO NEWS - 18 hours ago - 13:24 | Sports, All Japanese golfer Akie Iwai shot a 3-under 69 on Sunday to finish runner-by one stroke to fellow overnight leader Ingrid Lindblad at the U.S. LPGA Tour's JM Eagle LA Championship. The 22-year-old LPGA rookie from Japan missed the opportunity to force a playoff for her first tour title when she bogeyed the final hole and finished 20-under for the tournament at El Caballero Country Club in Los Angeles. Lindblad, a 25-year-old rookie from Sweden, carded a 68 to clinch her first LPGA win. Japan's Miyu Yamashita (66) moved up five spots to tie for third at 19-under, with compatriot Nasa Hataoka (63) a further stroke back in sixth after surging 23 places on the last day. Iwai jumped 11 spots Saturday to start the final round tied with Lindblad and American Lauren Coughlin. She shot five birdies against two bogeys in Sunday's round. "I'm very frustrated. I was so nervous on the last putt on the 18th and couldn't make it. It was a waste," Iwai said. "I have a chance to bounce back next week, so I'll try to channel my frustration then." Iwai's twin sister, Chisato, shot 68 to tie for 11th at 15-under with Japan's Rio Takeda (71) and three other players. Related coverage: Golf: Akie Iwai surges into tie for lead at LPGA event in LA Golf: U.S. LPGA rookie Rio Takeda rolls to 6-shot win in China Golf: 2 women to play inaugural men's tournament in Japan
The Mainichi
21-04-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Golf: Japan's Iwai runner-up to Sweden's Lindblad at LPGA event in LA
LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Japanese golfer Akie Iwai shot a 3-under 69 on Sunday to finish runner-by one stroke to fellow overnight leader Ingrid Lindblad at the U.S. LPGA Tour's JM Eagle LA Championship. The 22-year-old LPGA rookie from Japan missed the opportunity to force a playoff for her first tour title when she bogeyed the final hole and finished 20-under for the tournament at Caballero Country Club in Los Angeles. Lindblad, a 25-year-old rookie from Sweden, carded a 68 to clinch her first LPGA win. Japan's Miyu Yamashita (66) moved up five spots to tie for third at 19-under, with compatriot Nasa Hataoka (63) a further stroke back in sixth after surging 23 places on the last day. Iwai jumped 11 spots Saturday to start the final round tied with Lindblad and American Lauren Coughlin. She shot five birdies against two bogeys in Sunday's round. "I'm very frustrated. I was so nervous on the last putt on the 18th and couldn't make it. It was a waste," Iwai said. "I have a chance to bounce back next week, so I'll try to channel my frustration then."
