SHIGA, Japan (AP) — Japan’s Rio Takeda won the LPGA’s Toto Japan Classic on Sunday in a six-hole sudden-death playoff, beating American Marina Alex. It was Takeda’s first victory on the LPGA Tour.
Takeda birdied the par-5 18th hole, edging Alex with par.
The two were tied after 54 holes at 15-under 201. The tournament was limited 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 6-under 66 in the final round and Takeda shot a 67.
Haeran Ryu of South Korea was one stroke behind after regulation with a 66. She finished at 14-under 202.
Hana Wakimoto of Japan, leader after the first two rounds, slipped to 1-over 73 and finished three shots behind the leaders. She was also looking for her first victory on the LPGA Tour.
The Japanese tournament concludes a series of four Asian events for the LPGA Tour that included events in China, South Korea And Malaysia.
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