Nasa Hataoka wins rain-shortened Japan Classic in playoff

Nasa Hataoka won the Japan Classic on the first playoff hole Sunday after rain washed out the fourth round of the event.

Because tournament officials determined conditions were unplayable at the course, the decision was made to call off the final 18 holes and send Hataoka and Yuna Araki to a playoff. The two Japanese players were tied at 15-under 201 after 54 holes Saturday at the Seta Golf Club.

Hataoka and Araki played the 18th hole for the playoff, with Hataoka finishing with a par on the hole and Araki a bogey.

Hataoka had shared the lead at the end of each of the three rounds.

It is her seventh LPGA Tour title. She won $315,000 with Araki earning $191,664.

Miyu Yamashita, winner of the Maybank Championship in Malaysia last week, finished one stroke behind and in third place.

Eight Japanese women finished in the top nine.

--Field Level Media