The first major on the LPGA Tour had a thrilling end. Five golfers from five different countries were tied at T1 with a score of 7 under par after 4 rounds of golf. Japanese golfer Mao Saigo, Thai golfer Ariaya Jutanugarn, Chinese golfer Yin Ruoning, American golfer Lindy Duncan, and South Korean golfer Kim Hyo-Joo. Jutanugarn had helped the lead heading to the 18th hole but her chip shot missed the pin by inches which set a putt. Her putt also fell short leading her to bogey and fall back into T1 for a three-way tie for the first position. Lindy Duncan and Mao Saigo proceeded to card a bride on the final hole to join the leaders. The birdie on the final hole proved to be crucial for the Japanese golfer as in the end, Mao Saigo reigned supreme. Saigo found the hole on the 18th hole with just 4 strokes while Jutanugarn, Ruoning, and Hyo-Joo needed one more. Duncan carded six on the playoff hole. This is the first-ever victory for the 23-year-old Saigo on the LPGA Tour, having previously won six times on the LPGA of Japan Tour. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad The playoff victory will be a welcome relief for the young golfer, as she had started day 4 with a score of 9 under par and tied for first place with Hae-ran Ryu. Both the leaders fell off with Ryu carding a 4 over par to finish T2 while Saigo had to fight back and clinch a tie for first place with a birdie on the last hole. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Golfing fans react to Mao Saigo’s thrilling playoff victory The fighting comeback was a testament to Saigo’s resilience and one set of fans really seemed to enjoy seeing her stay in the game and fight it out despite the early difficulties on day 4. “Just proves you need to hang in and anything can happen… wow!!” One netizen had commented after watching Saigo birdie on the 18th hole two times in a row. The Japanese golfer had a rough day 4 with five bogeys during the course of her 18 holes on Sunday at Texas. The rough start notwithstanding she came up clutch when it mattered most, with one fan applauding her for her efforts on the course, but lamenting on the poor golf on display at the first LPGA Major of the season. “That was a fitting end to an awful major. Happy for Mao Saigo but I cannot believe she’s won that with a birdie.” The user stated. The high-scoring affair was indeed a surprise with players like Lilia Vu going for 13 over par during the 4 rounds of play.