Nasa Hataoka defeated Yuna Araki in a playoff after the final round of the TOTO Japan Classic was cancelled due to unplayable course conditions and the forecast for Sunday.
In less than two months after the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship was cancelled after the first round due to weather, the TOTO Japan Classic was forced to make changes to the tournament. After the conclusion of the third round, event organizers relayed this message through social media.
“After assessing the golf course and discussing with the golf course superintendent, the course is currently unplayable. The forecast is for continuous rain, at times heavy. Due to the current conditions and the forecast, the decision has been made to cancel Round 4, and the tournament will be reduced to a 54-hole event. Official points and official money will be distributed based on yesterday’s 54-hole results.
A playoff between Nasa Hataoka and Yuna Araki to determine the winner of the TOTO Japan Classic.”
The playoff took place on the par-5 18th hole but was changed to a par three for the playoff. Hataoka needed just one hole to claim the title after she made par to Araki’s bogey on the first playoff hole. She had this to say after her unorthodox victory.
“I would say this was a unique win for me. It was unfortunate that the tournament got shortened to 54 holes, but I had the playoff, and it became the par-3 or par-5. That was a surprise, but I would say it was unique,” she said.
With her win, Hataoka became the sixth different Japanese golfer to win on tour this season. She also became the third consecutive Japanese golfer to win the TOTO Japan Classic. She earned $315,000 and 500 points in the season-long competition Race to CME Globe.
The LPGA Tour continues next week with its penultimate tournament of the season at the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.
