Nasa Hataoka won her seventh-career LPGA Tour event, and first since 2022, at the TOTO Japan Classic, defeating Yuna Araki in a playoff.
The final round of the TOTO Japan Classic was particularly interesting because, it didn’t happen. Bad weather led to the second shortened tournament of the season because of unplayable conditions.
The 18th hole, usually a par 5, was shortened to a par three, and it was determined there would be a sudden-death playoff to break the tie through 54 holes.
In the soaking wet conditions, Araki actually appeared to have the advantage off the tee, as she was just beyond the green but on a beautiful line, while Hataoka was left with a long putt. Hataoka ran her birdie putt well past the hole, opening the door even more for the JLPGA star.
Araki hit a decent looking chip shot that rolled out beyond gimme range despite the conditions. Araki’s par putt just missed while Hataoka’s barely curled into the cup to hand her the win.
While it was unconventional, it still counts as an official win. This is the second time Hataoka has won an event shortened to 54 holes after her win at the 2021 Marathon Classic. Hataoka is now the sixth Japanese player to win on the LPGA Tour in 2025, one behind The Republic of Korea for the most of any country.
