Japan’s Saigo wins Chevron in five-way play-off

The Chevron Championship’s final leaderboard

-7 M Saigo (Jpn) (won play-off), HJ Kim (Kor), R Yin (Chn), A Jutanugarn (Tha), L Duncan (US), -5 J Young Ko (Kor), S Schmelzel (US), H Ryu (Kor)

others were screened.

-4 C Ciganda (Spa), -2 N Korda (US), L Thompson (US), + 1 G Hall (Eng), + 5 L Ko (NZ), + 8 L Maguire (Ire)

The Chevron Championship was Mao Saigo’s first major title of her career, coming through a five-way play-off.

Along with American Lindy Duncan, Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, Hyo-Joo Kim of South Korea, and Yin Ruoning of China, she recorded a final round 74 and won the play-off spot.

The Club at Carlton Woods in Texas saw the biggest play-off of all five players, resulting in the highest-ever seven under-par scorecard.

Jutanugarn, a two-time major champion, had the lead most of the way to victory, but she carded a bogey after her ball only moved a little bit when she nearly missed it with her third shot.

Kim, Yin, and Jutanugarn par on the first play-off hole, which was the par-5 18th, and Duncan suffered a bogey.

Saigo then bagged her first victory in the United States by birdie and sank a five-foot putt to claim the victory.

Saigo remarked, “I was so laser focused, nervous, and really in the zone.” The ball in front of me was all I could think of. Nothing else was up for my eyes.

I shot and it went in, but I tried to calm myself down and did as I was feeling nervous.

She continued, “It was my dream to earn this major,” adding through a translator.

“This is my first victory in this tournament.” I’m delighted that my dream came true, and I’m so happy for it.

When asked what her future plans are, Saigo responded, “I still have four more majors to go, and I want to shoot for number one in the world.” The final four majors will require me to do my best.

Duncan birdied the 18th hole to advance to the play-off, finishing alongside Saigo and trying to win a first major.