Rio Takeda of Japan gained the LPGA’s Toto Japan Traditional on Sunday in a playoff that lasted six sudden-death holes, defeating Marina Alex of the USA. It was Takeda’s first victory on the LPGA Tour.
Takeda had a birdie on the par-5 18th gap, edging Alex with par. The 2 had been tied after 54 holes at 15-under 201. The event was restricted to 54 regulation holes after Saturday’s third spherical was washed out by rain.
They had been additionally even after the primary 5 playoff holes within the sudden-death format, every with a birdie on the primary playoff gap and pars on the following 4 holes. All the playoff holes had been par-5s — the 18th gap and the thirteenth.
Alex shot a 6-under 66 within the ultimate spherical and Takeda shot 67. Haeran Ryu of South Korea was one shot behind after regulation with a 66. She completed at 14-under 202.
Hana Wakimoto of Japan, the chief after the primary two rounds, slipped to a 1-over 73 and completed three strokes behind the leaders. She was additionally searching for her first LPGA Tour win.
The Japan event concludes a four-event Asian swing for the LPGA Tour that included occasions in China, South Korea and Malaysia.