Japanese golfin Mao Saigo jumps into the pond after her first title

Japanese golfin Mao Saigo jumps into the pond after her first title

The Japanese Golferin Mao Saigo on Sunday has her first Major tournament of the LPGA at the chevron championship . Their victory was anything but easy.

dramatic sting

The 23-year-old secured victory in a dramatic five-player sting after hit a birdie on the last hole. With this she shared the lead with the American Lindy Duncan, Thai woman Ariya Jutanugarn, Chinese Yin Ruoning and South Korean Kim Hyo-Joo in a total of seven strokes under par.

a historical playoff

The five players then competed again on the 18th hole in the Club of Carlton Woods in Texas, which was the largest stabbing marked in the history of a LPGA major.

Saigo's crucial moment

Jutanugarn, Kim and Yin played par in the jump -off while Duncan had to accept a bogey. This opened the door for Saigo, which secured her first major title with a birdie and a nerve-wracking three foot.

"I did my best to calm down and when I opened the ball went in," said Saigo in Japanese about a translator after her victory.

a wet and happy victory

As is part of the tradition of the tournament, Saigo celebrated her victory by jumping with her team into the nearby pond, a wide smile on her face. In addition to soaked clothes, she will also bring $ 1.2 million home from the total prize money of $ 8 million.

a disappointed challenge

While Saigo celebrated, Jutanugarn was busy with her thoughts because she was in the lead for most of the last day. The 29-year-old seemed to be on the best way to win, but Bogeyte on the last hole of the regular season after her third blow failed.

a remarkable climb

Saigo finally used this mistake in her second season on the LPGA tour. Last year's rookie of the year is now the fifth Japanese who wins a major title.

"It was my dream to win this major," said Saigo. "It is the first time that I win this tournament and I was able to realize my dream. I'm very proud of that.

"My predecessors also won majors, and I really thought I would have to catch up as much as possible. But instead of putting too much pressure on myself, I wanted to respect every process and steadily progress.