Rio Takeda had an impressive showing at the Blue Bay LPGA in China. She claimed her first career win as the only player to record multiple bogey-free rounds, finishing with a score of 17-under. Her win at the TOTO Japan Classic was technically as a non-member.
Commenting on the victory, Takeda said, “At the final day I started at the top and I had a desire to win this tournament. I could win this tournament finally, so I feel really great now.”
Her driving distance of 261 yards helped set her game apart. “I could win this tournament because my strongest point is driving distance, so it worked well this tournament,” said Takeda.
She is the first rookie to win on tour since the 2023 season, as well as the only player in this tournament to record all rounds in the 60s. She finished top five in bogeys, eagles and birdies.
Runner-up Minjee Lee proved to be strong competition, shooting three eagles in a throughout the week. She was six strokes behind Takeda with a final score of 277.
“I chipped in four times, so that’s obviously going to help. I think I made three eagles and a birdie chip-in, so, yeah, no, that’s always nice to see it go in. You know, I think for most of the week I was hitting it pretty solid. Just try to capitalize on the shots that I hit close. It’s quite hard if you’re not on the right sections of the greens here, so I did have a few putts over hills. Other than that, nice week this week,” said Lee.
Cassie Porter shot even par, landing her first top-five finish in her second ever LPGA Tour start. She made the largest jump in the Race to the CME globe points list, from 103 to 29.
“Yeah, there is a lot of emotions right now. Yeah, from Bradenton obviously having a rough week and then coming out here and doing well, just shows how crazy this game is; also like how awesome it can be as well. Big week for myself and my coach, caddie, Dan on the bag. Just really proud of us this week,” said Porter.
The next tournament, the Ford Championship, will take place on March 27th in Chandler, Ariz., where Nelly Korda will defend her title.
