EXCEPT for her decision to switch nationalities, nothing has changed about Yuka Saso and how proud is in being a Filipina after winning her second US Women’s Open title, this time as a representative of Japan.
Saso said she is thankful for the support that she is receiving from the Philippines even though her recent success will go down in the books as a title for Japan.
“I’ve always been half Japanese, half Filipino,” said Saso in a media availability session organized by the LPGA a day before the start of the Shoprite Classic.
COLUMN: Philippines, Japan celebrate Yuka Saso’s U.S. Women's Open win
“I’m thankful for my family back in the Philippines and all my sponsors who have been supporting me through ups and downs and all the trust they’ve given me,” said Saso.
Last week, Saso captured her second US Women’s Open title at the Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania after taking the first in 2021 when she was still 20 and representing the Philippines.
Due to a Japan law that disallows dual citizenship beyond 22 years old, Saso made the decision to choose the nationality of her father mainly due to the conveniences of carrying a Japanese passport while being a professional golfer who travels around the world.
Saso: 'I'm half Filipino and half Japanese'
Even though she now represents Japan, Saso, born in San Ildefonso, Bulacan to a Filipina mother, continues to come home to the Philippines during her breaks from the tour. She is still supported by ICTSI, a known patron of Philippine golf.
Saso, a 2018 Asian Games gold medalist for the Philippines, said she would have wanted to represent both countries if she had a choice.
“I think I said this in other interviews as well, but if I could put two flags beside my name I would, but I cannot. I think the whole world already knows I'm half Filipino and half Japanese,” said Saso.
“Even when I was representing Philippines, I always thought I'm always half Japanese as well. Even now I'm representing Japan, I always think I'm half Filipino. That will never change,” she added.
“I love growing up in the Philippines and I always go back there. Nothing has really changed. It's just that the outside – how do you say it – like paperworks or whatever it is, it's just on those sides,” said Saso.
The media availability was also open to Filipino journalists, with Saso even asking an LPGA official on whether to answer in English or in full Tagalog when she was given a question in Tagalog about how she was able to come back after trailing by three strokes entering the final round.
“At the start, I was three down. Hindi ko naman sinabi sa sarili ko na malaki ang chance ko o I can do it. I just tried to focus more sa game, more on sa routine, and focus on every shot,” said Saso.
'Not winning is tough'
“My caddie talked to me at the start of the round. Sabi niya, whatever happens, he will be proud of me. ‘Yun po ‘yung nakatulong sa pagpanalo ko last week,” said Saso.
It was Saso’s first title victory since, surprisingly, the US Women’s Open of 2021 held at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, proof of how difficult it is to win in the LPGA Tour.
“Not winning is tough, but a lot of stuff covers it. Winning isn’t everything. This is my life and my job, so whatever happens, I have to enjoy it,” said Saso.
“But winning last week felt really good. Obviously it's one of the biggest tournaments of the year. It was my dream tournament to win since I was young, and to do it twice, it felt sweeter,” she added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
