Nov 04,2024
Rio Takeda went the extra mile to record her first victory on the LPGA Tour, defeating Marina Alex in a play-off that lasted six sudden-death holes to capture the Toto Japan Classic in front of her home-country crowd in Shiga.
Takeda, 21, finished with a birdie on the par-five 18th hole to card a five-under-par 67 and finish at 15-under at Seta Golf Course.
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Takeda and Alex (66 on Sunday) each notched a birdie on the first play-off hole and pars on the next four before Takeda took control on the final hole.
After Alex missed her attempt for birdie, Takeda sank hers to capture her milestone victory.
By winning the $2m tournament, Takeda is eligible to accept immediate LPGA Tour membership for the remainder of the season or defer until thefollowing season. She said she is still weighing up her decision by taking stock of what's ahead.
"So this week I could manage to have my eighth win and I'm surprised with that, but I have three more tournaments to go in Japan so I need to brace myself, and just try to finish my year in a great way," she said.
Leona Maguire carded her worst round of the weather-shorted tournament, a four-over 76 that left her tied for 70th on one-over.
The Toto Japan Classic was restricted to 54 regulation holes after Saturday's third round was washed out by rain.
