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Yuka Saso Writes Her Name Into History Books at US Women's Open

By: | Mon 07 Jun 2021


YUKA SASO wrote her name into the history books as she became the first golfer from the Philippines to win a major. Saso, who is just 19 years old, defeated Nasa Hataoka of Japan in a sudden death playoff to claim the US Women’s Open after they had finished tied on four under par.

American Lexi Thompson missed a putt on the 18th to get into the playoff on a day when it appeared that nobody really wanted to win.

Saso made shocking start to the final round, with two double bogeys in the first three holes. She could have crumbled but instead dup deep. She said: "My caddie said there are still many holes to go and to trust the process." 

At 19 years, 11 months and 17 days, Saso matched South Korea's Inbee Park to the day as the youngest champion at the women's game's oldest major.

Saso, who shot a two-over 73 in the final round, had to survive a late charge by 22-year-old Hataoka, who was seeking to become the latest Japanese major champion after Hideki Matsuyama triumphed at The Masters earlier this year.

After starting the day six strokes off the lead, Hataoka stormed up the leaderboard with three birdies in her closing six holes to post a 68 but could only manage pars on the three play-off holes and was forced to watch on as Saso sank the winning 10-foot birdie putt.

Thompson had led by four strokes after her first nine holes but suffered a dramatic collapse on the back nine. The 26-year-old started to miss fairways on the back nine and missed a crucial par putt on the 17th as well as one on the final green that would have seen her into the playoff.

England's Mel Reid, who led after the first round, carded a second successive 78 to finish in a tie for 46th on 12 over.

Saso, who earlier in the tournament revealed she has tried to emulate four-time men's major champion Rory McIlroy's swing, admitted she had received encouragement from the Northern Irishman on social media on Sunday.


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Tags: US Womens Open lpga LET



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