Takeda wins Japan Classic after six sudden-death holes
Rio Takeda has won the LPGA’s Toto Japan Classic in a playoff that lasted six sudden-death holes, defeating American golfer Marina Alex.
It was Takeda’s first tournament win on the LPGA Tour.
The Japanese player claimed victory with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, edging out Alex, who had par.
The two were tied after 54 holes at 15-under 201 on Sunday. The tournament was restricted to 54 regulation holes after Saturday’s third round was washed out by rain.
They were also even after the first five playoff holes in the sudden-death format, each with a birdie on the first playoff hole and pars on the next four holes.
All of the playoff holes were par-5s – the 18th hole and the 13th.
Alex shot a six-under 66 in the final round and Takeda shot a 67.
South Korea’s Haeran Ryu was one shot behind after regulation with a 66, finishing with a three-round total of 14-under 202.
Local hope Hana Wakimoto, who had led after the first two rounds, slipped to a one-over 73 on Sunday and finished three strokes behind the leaders. She was also seeking her first LPGA Tour win.
The Japan tournament concludes a four-event Asian swing for the LPGA Tour that also included events in China, South Korea and Malaysia.
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