Golf: Rio Takeda wins JLPGA Championship for 1st major title

NAGO, Japan (Kyodo) — In-form Rio Takeda picked up her first career major golf title Sunday with a wire-to-wire victory at the JLPGA Championship.

The 21-year-old leader in the Japan LPGA season point standings has won two weeks in a row and six times in 2024.

Takeda’s 3-under 69 final round featured five birdies and two bogeys, leaving her at 19-under 269, one shot clear of Miyuu Yamashita, at Kanehide Kise Country Club in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture.

“I’m relieved after a long four days,” Takeda said. “I knew Miyuu-san was going to improve her score, so I felt pressure of not letting her catch up.”

She earned the 36 million yen ($255,600) winner’s prize and a three-year tour exemption.

Yamashita, who just missed out on a medal at the Paris Olympics last month, had a bogey-free final-round 66. Saiki Fujita was alone in third at 15 under.