THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Mao Saigo was shaking with nervousness before her birdie putt on the first hole of a five-way playoff Sunday in the Chevron Championship.
The 23-year-old Japanese player managed to compose herself in time to sink the 3-footer and win her first major title.
“I did my best to calm down and I shot and it went in,” she said in Japanese through an interpreter.
Saigo birdied the par-5 18th in regulation for a 2-under 74, leaving her tied with Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn and Lindy Duncan. They finished at 7-under 281 at The Club at Carlton Woods.
Saigo won on the 18th in the playoff after Yin and Jutanugarn had birdie tries lip out. Jutanugarn bogeyed the 18th in regulation after stubbing her third shot only inches.
Jutanugarn led for most of the final round before her late gaffe after making two birdies and an eagle on the front nine.
“The front nine was very solid especially with the eagle, but back nine just couple mistakes on par 5 that I made; two bogeys,” she said.
Yin was in the best position in the playoff after getting onto the green in two shots. But she missed a 12-foot eagle putt and her comebacker for birdie lipped out to set up Saigo for the win.
Saigo won for the first time on the LPGA Tour. She was the tour’s…
