In a moment of excitement at The Club at Carlton Woods, Mao Saigo of Japan clinched her first major victory at the 2025 Chevron Championship. This young star, only 23, made a crucial 3-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a five-way playoff, showcasing her remarkable skill and poise under pressure.

Saigo’s performance during the tournament was nothing short of spectacular as she finished regulation play with a score of 2-under 74, placing her in a tie with Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Lindy Duncan at 7-under 281. In the playoff, Saigo secured her victory after her opponents faced difficulties with their birdie attempts.

This win marks Saigo’s inaugural title on the LPGA circuit, a notable feat as she is the first Japanese winner in this prestigious event and now joins the ranks of major champions. She earned a generous prize of $1.2 million from an overall purse of $8 million, an increase compared to last year.

Celebrating her win, Saigo joyfully leaped into Poppie’s Pond, a tradition for champions, making her the second player to participate in this Texas celebration. This season has seen her steadily rise, having initially entered the day tied for 9-under before turning up the heat with her critical final birdie.

Furthermore, top-ranked Nelly Korda had a challenging day, finishing tied for 14th, illustrating the unpredictable nature of golf.

This championship was particularly thrilling, as it included players pushing their limits, and Saigo, a remarkable talent, demonstrated her potential to become a star in women’s golf.