Rio Takeda of Japan received her first LPGA occasion in her native nation, defeating American Marina Alex in a six-hole playoff on the Seta Golf Course outdoors of Kyoto.
The win caps an unimaginable run for Takeda, who has received seven occasions already on the LPGA of Japan Tour this season. However this victory means way more; she now earns standing on the LPGA in 2025.
“I used to be planning to take Q-Faculty in December, and now I can skip that Q-Faculty and go play subsequent yr on the LPGA Tour, which is thrilling for me now,” Takeda stated after her win.
“This week, I managed to win my eighth event, and I’m shocked by that. Nevertheless, I’ve three extra tournaments to go to in Japan, so I have to brace myself and simply attempt to end my yr in an effective way.”
Takeda stood on the sixteenth tee in regulation, trailing Alex by three strokes with three holes to play. However she by no means gave up. She eagled the par-5 sixteenth after which completed with a par and a birdie on the seventeenth and 18th holes to tie Alex at 15-under via 54 holes—a tropical storm washed out play on Saturday, so event organizers shortened the occasion to 54 holes.
Nonetheless, Takeda and Alex wanted six extra holes to settle the rating.
After each gamers made birdie on the primary playoff gap, the par-5 thirteenth, Takeda and Alex every made 4 straight pars. However then, on the par-5 18th, Takeda made a birdie whereas Alex might solely muster a par.
“Just a little upset, nevertheless it was nonetheless an awesome event,” Alex stated after.
“I’m actually pleased with how I performed. I’m excited to have a couple of extra begins earlier than the tip of the season. Perhaps we’ll get one.”
The TOTO Japan Basic marks the tip of a four-tournament swing in Asia for the LPGA. The tour returns to america for the LOTTE Championship in Oahu, Hawaii, subsequent week.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. You should definitely try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
