YUKA Saso surged on the back nine to claim her second US Women's Open title on Sunday, shooting a two-under-par 68 for a three-shot victory at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania.
Saso finished with a four-under-par total of 276, securing her second LPGA tour title three years after her first US Open win while playing for the Philippines at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
She joins South Koreans Pak Se-ri and Chun In-gee as the only players to win majors as their first two LPGA titles. At 22 years old, Saso is the youngest player to win the US Women's Open twice.
Yuka's fine finish
Despite a four-putt double-bogey at the par-three sixth, Saso rebounded with birdies on four holes in a five-hole stretch from the 12th through the 16th, distancing herself from a trio of overnight co-leaders, including Australian Minjee Lee.
Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, the 2019 Women's British Open champion, finished second with a two-over-par 72, ending at one-under 279.
Shibuno was one stroke ahead of overnight co-leader Andrea Lee and American Ally Ewing. Ewing climbed the leaderboard with a four-under 66, while Lee struggled with a five-over 75.
Third-round co-leader Wichanee Meechai of Thailand shot a 77, finishing in a group at 282. Two-time major winner Minjee Lee had a tough round of 78, falling to a group at 283.
Australia's Lee maintained a two-shot lead through nine holes despite not finding a fairway on the front nine. However, as her mistakes accumulated, Saso found her rhythm, sinking a 10-foot birdie putt at the 12th and taking the solo lead with a birdie at the par-five 13th.
Patience is a virtue
Saso added birdies at the 15th and 16th, driving the green at the short par-four 16th. She remained in control even after a three-putt bogey at the 17th, finishing with a superb chip for a two-putt par at the 18th to secure the win.
"I just tried to be patient out there. I think that's what you need to win a major like this," said Saso, now the fourth player - man or woman - to win a golf major representing Japan.
READ: Yuka Saso says she'll 'forever be proud to be a Filipino'
In 2021, Saso was playing for the Philippines, where she was born, but she has since opted for Japanese citizenship, reflecting her father's nationality.
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