If you’re still not over the drama of the Chevron Championship this weekend (neither are we), here’s a quick look back on the best bits.
Mao Saigo stunned the field — and herself — by clinching The Chevron Championship in a five-way playoff this weekend, proving sometimes fairytales begin with bogeys, not birdies.
If, like us, you're not quite over it yet, here's a quick recap of the best bits from the first women's Major of the year.
The Final Round Plot Twist No One Saw Coming
Going into the final holes of The Chevron Championship at Carlton Woods, Mao Saigo wasn’t exactly looking like a future major champion. After a shaky bogey on the 15th, her win probability stood at just 2.3%. But golf — glorious, unpredictable golf — had other ideas.
Despite a final-round two-par 74, Saigo clawed her way into a five-way playoff, thanks in part to a clutch birdie putt on 18. Not bad for a player who’d hit only eight greens all day.
A Five-Way Fight for the Title
Saigo wasn’t alone in her comeback. The final leaderboard saw her tied at -7 with four other players: Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Lindy Duncan. It was the largest playoff in LPGA major championship history, and each player had their moment in the spotlight.
Jutanugarn held the solo lead heading into the 18th but made a heartbreaking bogey after a duffed chip. Kim, Yin, and Duncan all made impressive Sunday runs — including Duncan’s dramatic playoff-qualifying birdie — but none could match Saigo’s magic in extra holes.
Calm Under Pressure—and Into the History Books
On the first playoff hole, the 18th, Saigo found the fairway but sailed her second shot just over the green. She got free relief from a temporary immovable obstruction and coolly chipped to three feet. The resulting birdie sealed her victory — and her place in history.
She’s the first player from Japan to win The Chevron Championship, the 46th player to win their first LPGA title at a major, and the fourth Rolex First-Time Winner of the 2025 season.
Pond Jumps and Major Milestones
No Chevron Championship is complete without the winner’s leap into the pond, and Saigo didn’t disappoint. Her splash was the final flourish on a week that had everything: Wild swings, huge roars, and major drama.
She walks away with her first LPGA title, $1.2 million, and a serious confidence boost heading into the rest of the season. It’s a long way from her missed cut at the same event just a year ago.
Missed the Madness? Watch It Here
Want to relive the drama, heartbreak, and heroics of that unforgettable final day? Watch the final-round highlights below.
