Yuka Saso wins another US Women's Open. This one was for Japan
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — Yuka Saso became a U.S. Women’s Open champion for the second time Sunday and took her place in history with a rare footnote — the first Filipino to win the Women’s Open in 2021, and now the first from Japan to win women’s golf’ biggest event.
No matter the flag, the 22-year-old Saso delivered a masterful performance at Lancaster Country Club with a 2-under 68. She ran off four birdies in a five-hole stretch on the back nine amid a series of collapses and won without much drama.
Saso got up-and-down for par from short of the 18th green to finish at 4-under 276, winning by three shots over Hinako Shibuno, who in 2019 became the first Japanese player to capture the Women’s British Open.
They were the only two players under par, the fewest for the Women’s Open in 10 years.
Saso, who has two titles on the Japan LPGA, joined Se Ri Pak and In Gee Chun as the only players to make their first two LPGA victories major championships.