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Yuka Saso prevailed by two strokes at the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament at the Otaru Country Club in Hokkaido to claim her second Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) crown on Sunday.
With the victory, Saso pocketed Y36 million (about P16.5 million).
The Filipino golfer held a precarious one-shot lead in the fourth round over his closest rival, Sakura Koiwai, in the fourth round. Despite a double bogey on the second hole, Saso was able to maintain the cushion of a swing with four birdies in the first nine.
Sakura trailed by two strokes going into the final hole, but was only able to match Saso with a par when the Filipina claimed victory. Saso finished the round with a one-under-par 71 to raise her score to 275 after 72 holes, while Sakura finished with 277.
Saso opened the tournament in good shape with a five-under-67 performance via four birdies and one eagle. The Asian Games gold medalist followed with a three-under-par 69 with three birdies.
The 19-year-old Filipino rookie actually had a four-shot lead in the third round, but a slow performance from nine back saw Sakura slide into one shot before the final day. Despite the slowdown, Saso finished the third round with a 68 four-under to go 204 after 54 holes.
It is Saso’s second victory at the JLPGA after winning the NEC Karuizawa championship two weeks ago, where he scored 16 under 200 and a four-stroke victory worth Y14,400,000 (about P6.6 million).
This is not the first time Saso has performed in the clutch. During the 2018 Asian Games, the then 17-year-old, along with now LPGA pro Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Go, led the Philippines to a gold medal after a clutch eagle on the final hole of the competition.
