News Flash
OTSU, Japan, Nov 9, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Nasa Hataoka won her first title in over three years Sunday after beating Yuna Araki in a playoff at the LPGA Japan Classic after rain washed out the final round.
Japan's Hataoka triumphed in torrential conditions after outduelling compatriot Araki on a makeshift playoff hole, the usually par-four 18th, which had to be shortened to a 130-yard par three.
Hataoka rolled home a curling 10-foot putt for par, which proved enough to clinch her first title since the 2022 LA Open as Araki, 20, carded a bogey four.
"For a long time I wasn't able to sink putts from that distance and even if my approach play was good, I wouldn't be able to make birdies," said the 26-year-old Hataoka.
"The distance of my final putt today tested me and I'm glad I was able to hole it."
Heavy rain forced play to be suspended early in the final round with large areas of standing water on the sodden course.
Officials then ruled that it was unplayable and round four was cancelled.
The tournament placings were determined after Saturday's completed third round, with the co-leaders playing off for the title after both finished on 15-under par after 54 holes, one ahead of Japan's Miyu Yamashita, the current British Open champion, who placed third.
Hataoka had finished in the top 10 seven times this year, with five of those coming in her previous seven tournaments.
It was her seventh win on the LPGA Tour and her second LPGA Japan Classic title.
"It's been frustrating not being able to win for three-and-a-half years but through the support of my team, my fans and sponsors I was able to win today," she said.
