Rio Takeda wins Toto Japan Classic after six sudden-death playoff holes for her first LPGA Tour victory – Golf

Photo: The Canadian Press

SHIGA, Japan (AP) — Japan’s Rio Takeda won the LPGA’s Toto Japan Classic on Sunday in a six-hole sudden-death playoff, beating Marina Alex of the United States. It was Takeda’s first win on the LPGA Tour.

Takeda birdied the par-5 18th hole to beat Alex for par.

The two were tied at 15-under 201 after 54 holes. The tournament was limited to 54 regular holes after Saturday’s third round was washed out by rain.

They were also in the sudden death format even after the first five playoff holes, each with a birdie on the first playoff hole and pars on the next four holes. All the playoff holes were par-5s: the 18th and the 13th.

Alex shot a 6-under 66 in the final round and Takeda shot 67.

Haeran Ryu of South Korea was one shot behind after regulation with a 66. She finished at 14 under 202.

Hana Wakimoto of Japan, the leader after the first two rounds, fell to a 1-over 73 and finished three strokes behind the leaders. She was also looking for her first LPGA Tour victory.

The Japanese tournament concludes a four-event Asian swing for the LPGA Tour, with events in China, South Korea and Malaysia.

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