Mao Saigo clinched her first LPGA major title Sunday at the Chevron Championship, outlasting four rivals-including China’s Ruoning Yin-in a heart-stopping five-way playoff. The 23-year-old Japanese star drained a 3-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to secure the $1. million prize, while Yin narrowly missed her own birdie attempt that could’ve extended the drama
Yin, who entered the final round in contention, delivered clutch moments down the stretch-including a near-eagle putt on the 18th in regulation-but ultimately settled for fourth place and $3,274 The former major winner’s aggressive play nearly paid off, but Saigo’s steady nerves prevailed in the season’s first major, which featured a record $8 million purse
The tournament’s new Texas venue provided no shortage of theatrics, with Saigo becoming just the second champion to take the traditional Poppie’s Pond leap in the Lone Star State Defending champion Nelly Korda finished tied for 14th after rallying from an opening-round 77
Key Highlights:
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Historic playoff: First five-way sudden-death finish since 2023
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Prize jump: $100,000 purse increase from 2024
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Yin’s resurgence: Strong showing signals return to elite form
The LPGA’s youngest major champion since 2020 proved unshakable under pressure, while Yin’s performance cemented her status as a perennial contender in golf’s biggest events
