Coming into 2025, many believed Rio Takeda would be an immediate superstar on the LPGA Tour after winning as a non-member in 2024. While that didn’t necessarily pan out in her rookie season, she showed enough to give the belief that she will be an elite player in 2026.
Takeda got off to a hot start to begin 2025, with three top-10 finishes in her first five starts. She won her second trophy at the Blue Bay LPGA, capping off an incredible early season run.
She continued her strong play throughout the season, totaling eight top-10 finishes overall, including top-five finishes in two of the majors, the U.S. Women’s Open and the AIG Women’s Open. Her rookie of the year hopes faltered in the final stretch of the year, with just one top-10 finish in her last 12 starts. She did swing back up at the end with top-15 finishes in her last two events.
Takeda ended her season second in Rookie of the Year points and fourth in CME Points.
There’s two glaring weaknesses in Takeda’s game, her putting and her course management. Takeda ranked No. 2 in strokes gained tee-to-green, but No. 132 in strokes gained putting. If she wants to be one of the top five players on the LPGA Tour, she has to improve on the greens. It is possible, as evidenced by Minjee Lee’s incredible 2025 turnaround.
The other issue should be an easier fix though. Takeda struggled with course management, particularly in big moments. Takeda is an aggressive player, and she shouldn’t back off that style. She does need to learn to take her medicine at times, as bad decisions probably cost her a win at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Takeda likely won’t be the most consistent player on the LPGA Tour in 2026, but she has explosive ability that could lead to some fantastic results.
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