Sports

Yuka Saso Wins US Women's Open for the 2nd Time

After entering the final round three strokes off the pace, Yuka Saso, 22, finished strong to become the youngest player to win the US Women's Open twice.

Published

4 weeks ago

June 3, 2024

Ed Odeven

Yuka Saso holds the Harton S Semple Trophy after winning the 79th US Women's Open on June 2, 2024, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. (AP/via KYODO)

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Yuka Saso found her shooting rhythm during a pivotal stretch of the US Women's Open final round.

Saso sank birdies on the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th holes on Sunday, June 2 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. With a birdie on the par-3 12th hole, Saso grabbed a share of the lead at Lancaster Country Club.

The Philippine-born golfer pulled away for a three-stroke victory, completing the fourth round at 2-under 68. Her total score in the four-day event: 4-under 276.

Japanese compatriot Hinako "Smiling Cinderella" Shibuno, winner of the 2019 Women's British Open, was the runner-up, three shots off the pace at 1-under 279. Shibuno shot a 2-over 72 in the final round.

With another birdie, on the par-5 13th hole, Saso took the lead for good.

Saso became the 16th player to win multiple US Women's Open titles, the first since South Korea's Inbee Park accomplished the feat in 2013.

Moreover, Saso is the youngest two-time winner of the LPGA Tour major at 22 years, 347 days. The previous youngest? Hollis Stacy (24 years, 129 days), who claimed back-to-back titles in 1977 and '78.

Saso, whose mother is Filipino and whose father is Japanese, won her first US Women's Open in June 2021 in San Francisco, defeating Nasa Hataoka in a three-hole playoff.

American Ally Ewing, who had the best score in the final round (4-under 66), tied for third with fellow Andrea Lee at even-par 280.

Ayaka Furue finished in a three-way tie for sixth at 2-over 282. Also for Japan, Rio Takeda and Sakura Kowai, among the top players on the JLPGA Tour, carded 3-over 283s and were among three players tied for ninth.

Yuka Saso Perseveres to Win Again

After winning this tournament in 2021, Saso recorded 15 top-10 finishes in LPGA Tour events before finally winning again on Sunday. In 2023, for instance, she made the cut in 17 of 22 tournaments and had eight top-10 finishes, including runner-up in the Women's PGA Championship.

While summing up her emotions on Sunday, Saso spoke about the long victory drought she experienced after her first LPGA Tour title.

"I think I really wanted it," Saso told reporters. "Not just to get a second win but also to prove something to myself."

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Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.