Mao Saigo Wins 2025 Chevron Championship in Thrilling Five-Way Playoff
The 2025 Chevron Championship, the first LPGA major of the year, came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday with a five-way playoff, which was eventually won by Mao Saigo. The event, held at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, saw Saigo emerge victorious after a dramatic finale.
According to Golfweek, the playoff featured Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn, Lindy Duncan, and Saigo, all of whom finished regulation tied at 7 under. The playoff was a nail-biter, with each player facing a series of challenging putts. Ultimately, Saigo’s experience and composure paid off as she sunk a two-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to secure her first LPGA major title.
The source reports that Saigo’s winning putt was the culmination of a thrilling final round, which saw several players jockey for position at the top of the leaderboard. Earlier in the day, Ariya Jutanugarn had taken the lead with a birdie on the 8th hole, but her advantage was short-lived as Mao Saigo soon joined her at 9 under.
As reported by Golfweek, the final round was marked by a series of twists and turns, with several players making strong moves up the leaderboard. Defending champion Nelly Korda, who was seeking to defend her title, finished with a par on the par-5 closing hole for a 2-under 70, ending the tournament tied for 16th.
The article from Golfweek also notes that the LPGA has a rich history of dramatic finishes, with 47 of the last 50 major winners being within four shots of the lead after 54 holes. This year’s Chevron Championship was no exception, with a number of players still in contention heading into the final round.
In the end, it was Saigo’s accuracy and poise under pressure that proved decisive. As Golfweek reports, Saigo’s victory marked a significant milestone in her career, with the Japanese golfer becoming a major champion for the first time.
The 2025 Chevron Championship was the first of five LPGA majors this year, and it set the stage for what promises to be an exciting season. With a strong field and a challenging course, the tournament provided a thrilling spectacle for fans and a stern test for the world’s top golfers.
As noted by Golfweek, the event was broadcast on ESPN+, Peacock, and NBC, with the final round simulcast on Peacock. The tournament’s broadcast schedule was as follows: final round, 8:30 a.m. ET to 5 p.m. ET, ESPN+; final round, 2 p.m. ET to 3 p.m. ET, Peacock; and final round, 3 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock.
Here is a list of the last five winners of the Chevron Championship:
- 2020 – Mirim Lee (Mission Hills Country Club)
- 2021 – Patty Tavatanakit (Mission Hills Country Club)
- 2022 – Jennifer Kupcho (Mission Hills Country Club)
- 2023 – Lilia Vu (The Club at Carlton Woods)
- 2024 – Nelly Korda (The Club at Carlton Woods)
This year’s event was a thrilling conclusion to a dramatic week of golf, and Golfweek provided comprehensive coverage of the tournament, including live updates, scores, and analysis.
