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Yuka Saso defended herself from the early fight to win her second consecutive 2020 Tour of Japan LPGA title, taking victory at the Nitori Ladies tournament in Hokkaido on Sunday afternoon.
Historic is the victory, as the 19-year-old became the first rookie to win consecutive championships in the history of the JLPGA circuit, and he also won the NEC Karuizawa tournament on August 16.
Saso also took home the top prize of PHP 16,500,000.
And Saso had to sweat with this one.
The Filipino golfer finished 275 13 under par to overcome the challenge of eventual runner-up Sakura Koiwai, who gave her a hard time in the final two rounds of the tournament. The Japanese bet ended 277 of 11 under par.
The 19-year-old entered the final round of the afternoon with a one-shot lead over Koiwai, but lost it after a double bogey on the second par 4 hole.
Saso, however, bounced back with four birdies, including a back-to-back on the sixth and seventh holes to close out the first nine with the advantage of a shot with a score of 34.
With a precarious one-shot lead heading into the final nine, Saso took the 12th hole, a par 3, in just two strokes to lead the lead over local bet Koiwai by two strokes.
It turned out to be the hole that secured the title for the Philippine bet, as the two nearly went blow-for-blow on the remaining six holes of the course.
The 2018 Asian Games gold medalist became the season’s first consecutive winner after the 2020 CAT Ladies tournament scheduled for August 21-23 was also canceled.
Japan’s Ayaka Watanabe was the only other winner of the year so far.
