BELMONT, MI (June 21, 2026) — A Father’s Day crowd packed the grounds of Blythefield Country Club on Sunday, witnessing one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give as Miyu Yamashita captured the championship in a sudden-death playoff over Lottie Woad.

Yamashita and Woad finished regulation tied at 17-under-par, but the path to the playoff was anything but ordinary.

Woad appeared poised to secure the biggest victory of her LPGA career as she arrived at the 72nd hole holding a one-shot lead. After an incredible birdie from a greenside bunker on the par-4 17th, the English star needed only a short three-foot putt on the final green to claim the title outright.

Instead, the putt lipped out, resulting in her only three-putt of the tournament and forcing a playoff with Yamashita, who had already completed a remarkable final-round charge.

“It was a roller coaster,” Woad said afterward. “Obviously wish I got the first putt a little closer. Felt like I hit an okay putt. It lipped out on the high side.”

Yamashita, ranked No. 8 in the world, fired an 8-under-par 64 on Sunday, matching the lowest round of the tournament and overcoming a five-shot deficit entering the day. Her flawless ball-striking and aggressive approach helped her erase the gap and post the clubhouse lead at 17-under.

The pair returned to the 18th tee for the first playoff hole. Both reached the area around the green in three shots, but Yamashita executed a nearly perfect pitch to within two feet of the cup. Woad’s chip rolled well past the hole, and after missing her birdie attempt, Yamashita calmly converted hers to secure the championship.

The victory marked Yamashita’s third LPGA Tour title, her first win in the United States, and made her the first Japanese player ever to win the Meijer LPGA Classic. The triumph also pushed her season earnings past $1.3 million and improved her Race to CME Globe ranking to third.

With Father’s Day serving as the backdrop for the dramatic finish, Yamashita dedicated the victory to her family.

“I really wanted to win on this special day,” Yamashita said. “That gave me extra motivation throughout the round. This win is just as much for my family as it is for me.”

Behind the leaders, Wei-Ling Hsu and Yan Liu tied for third at 15-under, while Minji Kang and Cassie Porter finished tied for fifth at 14-under.

The tournament once again drew one of its largest crowds, with thousands of fans lining the fairways throughout the weekend. Sunday’s dramatic finish provided a memorable ending to one of Michigan’s premier sporting events and left spectators talking long after the final putt dropped.