Mao Saigo is one of the rising Japanese stars in the game of golf, winning her maiden major title in early 2025.
Born in October 2001, in Funabashi in the Chiba prefecture of Japan, it would not be long before Saigo took an interest in the game. From the age of 5, she would accompany her father to the golf course. From there on, she was destined for a career in the game.
Following a successful amateur career, she turned professional in 2019. Three years later, she went on an incredible run on the LPGA Tour of Japan, winning three times in a five-week spell at the start of the season. She would end 2022 with a total of five wins, adding another to that tally at the end of 2023.
Saigo would have to wait until April 2025 for her maiden LPGA Tour victory, but it came on the biggest of stages. The Japanese took the victory at the Chevron Championship, coming through a five-way playoff to secure the title. She also has top ten finishes in the other four majors, including top four finishes at the US Women’s Open and Amundi Evian Championship.
Mao Saigo | Player Profile
Personal Information
Name: Mao Saigo
Born: October 8, 2001
Nationality: Japan
Residence: Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
Career
College: Nihon Wellness Sports University
Turned Pro: 2019
Professional Wins: 7
Highest World Ranking: 18 – July 18, 2022
Best Results In Majors
Best Finishes:
– Chevron Championship – WIN (2025)
– Women’s PGA Championship – T7 (2024)
– US Women’s Open – T4 (2025)
– Amundi Evian Championship – T3 (2022)
– AIG Women’s Open – T7 (2024)
Professional Wins – 7
2022 (5) – Daikin Orchid Ladies Golf Tournament, AXA Ladies Golf Tournament in Miyazaki, Yamaha Ladies Open Katsuragi, Panasonic Open Ladies Golf Tournament, Bridgestone Ladies Open
2023 (1) – Ito En Ladies Golf Tournament
2025 (1) – Chevron Championship
Achievements and Awards
LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year – 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mao Saigo
When and where was Mao Saigo born?
Mao Saigo was born in Funabashi in the Chiba region of Japan in October 2001. She first started playing golf at the age of 5 – as she would accompany her father to the golf course.
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When did Mao Saigo turn professional?
Mao Saigo turned professional in 2019 after graduating from the Nihon Wellness Sports University. She spent her first few seasons on the LPGA Tour of Japan before making the jump to the LPGA Tour.
How many professional titles has Mao Saigo won?
As of April 2025, Mao Saigo has won seven times. Six of those came in a 20-month spell on the LPGA Tour of Japan, before she won the Chevron Championship – her first major title and first LPGA Tour title – in 2025.
Did you Know?
Rookie of the Year to Major Winner
2024 was Saigo’s maiden campaign on the LPGA Tour, and she was crowned the Tour’s Rookie of the Year – thanks in part to a pair of top-ten finishes in the majors. Just four months later, Saigo won the Chevron Championship to claim her first major victory.
Making Chevron History
There had never been a four-way playoff at the Chevron Championship before Saigo’s win in 2025, let alone a five-way playoff for the title! The Japanese star got the better of Ariya Jutanugarn, Ruoning Yin, Hyo-Joo Kim and Lindy Duncan, winning thanks to a birdie on the first playoff hole.
Other Mao Saigo Articles
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