The LPGA event ends with an impromptu playoff after the final round is canceled

On Sunday, during this week’s LPGA event, the 2025 Toto Japan Classic, rain surrounded the host course, leading to a canceled final round and an impromptu one-hole playoff on a shortened par-5 to determine the winner.

Here’s everything you need to know about the bizarre finish.

‘Unplayable track conditions’ lead to canceled final round

Sunday’s final round of the Toto Japan Classic ended shortly after it started. At 10:57 a.m. local time, the LPGA announced that play had been suspended due to “unplayable course conditions” caused by heavy rain.

But two hours later the rain had not stopped, the course was still underwater and more rain was forecast for the rest of the day.

At that point, tournament organizers made the difficult decision to cancel the final round and officially shorten the event to 54 holes.

The LPGA released a statement about

The statement added: “Official points and official money will be distributed based on yesterday’s results from the 54 holes.”

But there was one problem. Two players finished the third round with a shared lead. So the referees decided to organize a rare sudden death play-off determine the champion.

Toto Japan Classic decided on a shortened hole in the play-off

It is not entirely unusual for LPGA or PGA Tour events to be shortened to 54 holes due to weather. In most of these cases, whoever is in the lead at the 54 holes wins the tournament.

But when the Toto Japan Classic was officially shortened to 54 holes on Sunday, Nasa Hataoka and Yuna Araki shared the lead at 15 under.

Since they were tied with 201 tricks, a play-off would have to be played to crown the winner. But the course conditions were becoming more and more unplayable with every passing moment.

To solve this problem, the LPGA came up with a unique idea. The play-off would be held on the long par-5 18th hole at Seta Golf Club. But due to course conditions, Hataoka and Araki were unable to play the full length of the hole. Instead, the 18th would be shortened to a par-3, playing approximately 130 yards.

Amid the rain, Araki could only manage a bogey-4 on the shortened 18th hole during the playoffs. Hataoka, on the other hand, saved par to officially clinch the win.

With the victory, the 26-year-old Hataoka increased her career LPGA victory total to seven. Once ranked No. 4 in the world, Hataoka should see her current Rolex World Ranking of 32 improve immensely.