JLPGA star Rio Takeda takes Toto Japan Classic in playoff, earns LPGA membership
Rio Takeda won her eighth title of the season on the JLPGA at the Toto Japan Classic, but this time it was a co-sanctioned event with the LPGA. That means the 21-year-old’s victory at the Toto also comes with an LPGA card. She becomes the first non-member to win on the LPGA since Mone Inami won the 2023 Toto.
“I was planning to take Q-School in December,” said Takeda, “and now I can skip that Q-School and go play next year on the LPGA Tour, which is exciting for me now.”
Takeda has three more events left in Japan this year, and said she’s still thinking about when she’ll join the LPGA. She can join now or defer until 2025.
This week’s Toto Japan Classic was shortened to 54 holes due to effects of Tropical Storm Kong-Rey. Takeda started off Sunday three back of overnight leader Hana Wakimoto at Seta Golf Course. After a third-round 67, Takeda found herself knotted at 15 under with veteran LPGA player Marina Alex.
It took six playoff holes to determine a winner, with Takeda closing it out with birdie. She’s the third Japanese player to win on the LPGA this year, joining Yuka Saso and Ayaka Furue.
Japan’s Rio Takeda celebrates her victory after the final round of the LPGA Japan Classic golf tournament at the Seta Golf Course in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture on November 3, 2024. (Photo by STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images)
Takeda came into the week No. 25 in the Rolex Rankings. The Toto marked her fifth start on the LPGA in 2024, and she earned $300,000 for the victory. Along with her eight wins on the JLPGA this season, she also has 13 additional top-10 finishes.
“So that was my first time [in a] playoff,” said Takeda, “so I wasn’t expecting that the game was that long, but I managed to win so I’m really happy.”
While Alex didn’t leave with the title, she did play her way into the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, which features an $11 million purse and $4 million check to the winner. Alex jumped up 29 spots to No. 32 in the CME points race. The top 60 earn a spot in the field.
“I added Hawai’i a few weeks ago in an effort to try and get into CME,” said Alex. “I’m still excited to go there, but I think it kind of motivated me to get the job done.”
“And so it’s nice to have these next couple weeks not worried about that as trying to get in and actually just keep building on my game and get geared up for CME.”
