Sometimes Mother Nature has the final say.

The final round of the Toto Japan Classic was canceled Sunday at Seta Golf Course in Siga, Japan, leaving Nasa Hataoka and Yuna Araki tied on top of the leaderboard. Instead of declaring co-winners, the LPGA had the two compete in a playoff on the 18th hole, but it was much different than the three days before.

Normally playing as a par-5, the hole was shortened to a 130-yard par-3. Hataoka made a par on the first playoff hole in the rain, earning her the seventh LPGA victory of her career.

"I would say this was a unique win for me," Hataoka said. "It was unfortunate that tournament got shortened to 54 holes, but I had the playoff and it and became the par-3. That was (a) surprise, but I would say it was unique."

Hataoka, who became the 28th LPGA winner in 2025, is now a two-time champion of the Japan Classic, also claiming the title in 2018. It's her first win since 2022, ending a span of 1,295 days between hoisting trophies, and it's her first time to win a playoff in five attempts.

"It's been three years and a half as you said so it was kind of long drought for me so I had a struggle, but my team and my sponsors, like fans, they're supporting me quite a lot," she said. "That's why I could win this tournament this week."

Because of unplayable course conditions and a dire forecast, the LPGA made the decision to reduce the Japan Classic to a 54-hole event with points and money being awarded following the third round.

The Japan Classic was the final LPGA event of the fall Asian Swing. Next week, the tour returns to the United States for The Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, where Nelly Korda is the defending champion.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Veteran LPGA star wins Toto Japan Classic in playoff after event shortened to 54 holes

Reporting by Cameron Jourdan, Golfweek / Golfweek

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