Rio Takeda of Japan won her first LPGA event in her native country, defeating American Marina Alex in a six-hole playoff at the Seta Golf Course outside of Kyoto.
The win caps an incredible run for Takeda, who has won seven times already on the LPGA of Japan Tour this season. But this victory means much more; she now earns status on the LPGA in 2025.
“I was planning to take Q-School in December, and now I can skip that Q-School and go play next year on the LPGA Tour, which is exciting for me now,” Takeda said after her win.
“This week, I managed to win my eighth tournament, and I’m surprised by that. However, I have three more tournaments to go to in Japan, so I need to brace myself and just try to finish my year in a great way.”
Takeda stood on the 16th tee in regulation, trailing Alex by three strokes with three holes to play. But she never gave up. She eagled the par-5 16th and then finished with a par and a birdie on the 17th and 18th holes to tie Alex at 15-under through 54 holes—a tropical storm washed out play on Saturday, so tournament organizers shortened the event to 54 holes.
Nevertheless, Takeda and Alex needed six more holes to settle the score.
After both players made birdie on the first playoff hole, the par-5 13th, Takeda and Alex each made four straight pars. But then, on the par-5 18th, Takeda made a birdie while Alex could only muster a par.
“A little disappointed, but it was still a great tournament,” Alex said after.
“I’m really proud of how I played. I’m excited to have a few more starts before the end of the season. Maybe we’ll get one.”
The TOTO Japan Classic marks the end of a four-tournament swing in Asia for the LPGA. The tour returns to the United States for the LOTTE Championship in Oahu, Hawaii, next week.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
