Major Milestone for Marvelous Mao
Japan's rising star Saigo makes history at The Chevron Championship
Seoul, Korea - At just 23, Mao Saigo stood atop the golf world, radiant in the golden Texan sunlight, clutching the gleaming Chevron Championship trophy—a picture of serene joy and youthful ambition fulfilled. On Sunday, at The Club at Carlton Woods in Texas, the Japanese prodigy became not only the latest Rolex First-Time Winner but the first player from Japan ever to capture The Chevron Championship.
A golfer of meticulous composure and remarkable consistency, Saigo delivered a masterclass in nerve management on the Nicklaus-designed layout, outshining a star-studded field to earn her maiden LPGA Tour victory. With a final putt dropping, Saigo secured her place as the fifth major champion from Japan, following the footsteps of national greats like Ayaka Furue.
"It's unbelievable," said Saigo, visibly moved by the significance of her achievement. "Winning a major has always been my dream, and to do it here at The Chevron, where legends have triumphed, is beyond anything I imagined."
Indeed, this triumph marks a spectacular rise for Saigo, who first earned her LPGA membership just two years ago, swiftly turning promise into performance. With six career victories already secured on the JLPGA Tour, her seamless transition to international golf has been nothing short of astonishing.
Now, firmly planted in the LPGA’s elite circle, and with career earnings surpassing $3 million, Saigo's ascent continues unabated. Her Chevron Championship victory has vaulted her into the top five of the Race to the CME Globe standings, stamping her authority on the tour.
Looking forward, the golf world eagerly anticipates how far Mao Saigo can go. But for now, under the warm Texas skies, her joyous celebration symbolizes not just personal victory, but the dawn of a thrilling new chapter in golf’s global story.