YUKA Saso fired a closing 70 to win the 2018 Champion Infinity Philippine Ladies Open by two strokes on Friday at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmarinas, Cavite.
The 16-year-old Saso hit three birdies in the last six holes, including a chip-in birdie on the final hole for 54-hole total of 209.
The Fil-Japanese finally claimed the crown after a runner-up and third place finish in the last two years of the country’s premier championship organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.
Mikha Fortuna, who stunned the elite field with a solid 65 in the second round, struggled on a windy final day, firing a 74 and winding up with a 211.
“I never expected to win. Mikha was playing well but I got my own game going to No. 13 and that’s when I got the needed confidence,” said Saso.
Saso just last week eclipsed the pros and won at Greenfield in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour after last year winning the Philippine Amateur Stroke Play and Match Play crowns and the national junior title.
“I’ve learned a lot here. But these things happen in golf. I’ll just try again next year,” said Fortuna.
Thailand’s Pinkaew Trachuentong carded a 74 and placed third at 214, while last year’s champion Bianca Pagdanganan shot a 71 for fourth at 215 followed by Harmie Constantino (71-216), Isabelle Leung of Hong Kong (69-217), Thai Phannarai Meesom-us (73-218), Nicole Abelar (74-221), Kultida Pramphum (75-221) and Pimkwan Chookaew, also of Thailand, (73-222).
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