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SHIGA, Japan (AP) — Rio Takeda of Japan won the LPGA’s Toto Japan Classic on Sunday in a playoff that lasted six sudden-death holes, defeating Marina Alex of the United States. It was Takeda’s first victory on the LPGA Tour.
Takeda had a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, edging Alex with par.
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The two were tied after 54 holes at 15-under 201. The tournament was restricted to 54 regulation holes after Saturday’s third round was washed out by rain.
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They were also even after the first five playoff holes in the sudden-death format, each with a birdie on the first playoff hole and pars on the next four holes. All of the playoff holes were par-5s — the 18th hole and the 13th.
Alex shot a 6-under 66 in the final round and Takeda shot 67.
Haeran Ryu of South Korea was one shot behind after regulation with a 66. She finished at 14-under 202.
Hana Wakimoto of Japan, the leader after the first two rounds, slipped to a 1-over 73 and finished three strokes behind the leaders. She was also seeking her first LPGA Tour win.
The Japan tournament concludes a four-event Asian swing for the LPGA Tour that included events in China, South Korea and Malaysia.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf