OTSUTSU — Nasa Hataoka won a playoff on Sunday, clinching the LPGA’s TOTO Japan Classic after the final 18 holes were washed out by all-day rain and what officials called “unplayable course conditions.”
On Saturday, Hataoka and fellow Japanese golfer Yuna Araki shared the lead at 15-under 201 after 54 holes at Seta Golf Club in western Japan.
After Sunday’s regular play was canceled due to rain, Hataoka won the first hole of the playoff with an impromptu finish to claim the title. This was her seventh title on the LPGA Tour.
Hataoka shared the lead with a different golfer each time through the first three rounds.
Miyu Yamashita, who won the Maybank Championship in Malaysia last week, shot a 68 on Saturday and finished with a one-stroke lead after 54 holes.
Yamashita was followed by Juri Sakuma (69), who finished in the back three, and Ai Suzuki (70), who was four behind the leader after 54 holes.
Defending champion Rio Takeda, who had been out of contention all week, shot a 68 on Saturday and finished nine strokes behind.
Australia’s Minjee Lee, one of the hottest names in the field, scored 74 points on Saturday to finish 14 off the lead.
