Dream Realised, No. 1 Next For Saigo

Japanese targets top ranking after claiming first LPGA title via largest Major play-off

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HOUSTON - Mao Saigo of Japan rolled in a five-foot birdie putt to win a historic and chaotic five-woman play-off at the Chevron Championship, capturing her first Major title on April 27 at The Woodlands, Texas.

Saigo, who began the day tied for the lead with South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran, carded a two-over 74 at The Club at Carlton Woods, needing birdie at the par-five 18th to advance to the play-off.

Saigo, Yin Ruoning (71) of China, Kim Hyo-joo (70) of South Korea, Ariya Jutanugarn (71) of Thailand and Lindy Duncan (73) also finished at seven-under 281. It marked the largest play-off group at an LPGA Major in history.

Ariya led for most of the day and needed par at the last hole to win outright. However, in a bizarre sequence on her third stroke, she missed nearly her entire ball, which moved very slightly forward. She wound up with a bogey, opening the door for the play-off.

The five players returned to the 18th tee. Yin was the only player to hit the green in two shots, but she badly misread the mid-range eagle putt and also lipped out her birdie try. While Duncan ended up with a bogey, Kim and Ariya also missed their birdies.