Rio Takeda Claims Japan Classic Title Following Six-Hole Play-off

Rio Takeda, 21, secured her inaugural LPGA tour title at the Japan Classic, defeating American Marina Alex in a six-hole sudden-death play-off. The Japanese golfer forced the play-off by birdying the 18th hole, resulting in both competitors finishing at 15 under par. The tournament had been shortened to 54 regulation holes due to adverse weather on Saturday. The final leaderboard for the Toto Japan Classic was: -15 Takeda* (Jpn), Alex (USA); -14 Ryu; -13 Fujita (Jpn), Noh (USA). *Takeda won in play-off. Selected other: -8 Dryburgh (Sco). Both Takeda and Alex birdied the initial play-off hole and subsequently recorded par on the following four holes. Takeda ultimately clinched the victory by making a birdie on the par-five 18th, while Alex managed only a par. This play-off win, recognized as one of the longest in LPGA history, also grants Takeda an LPGA tour card. The 21-year-old stated, “I was planning to take Q School in December and now I can skip that and go and play next year on the LPGA tour, which is exciting for me now.”