TOKYO - Yuka Saso of the Philippines birdied her last two holes to score a four-under 67 in the third round of the women's golf competition of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the Kasumigaseki Country Club on Friday.
After an opening-round of 74 that was spotty at best and an up-and-down 68 in Day Two, Saso, 20, finally unleashed the form that won her a historic US Women's Open in a round marked by five birdies against a lone bogey.
The two closing birdies - on the 8th and 9th holes after she teed off in the backnine - pulled her up 15 spots from joint 34th at the start of the day to a tie for 20th place on four-under 209, although still far off the scorching pace set by American Nelly Korda.
The 2018 Asian Games double gold winner, who is backed by ICTSI, remained 11 shots behind Korda, who followed a 62 with a 69 and still remained three shots clear of the field on a 15-under 198 total.
Bianca Pagdanganan got as low as 3-under for the day and 5-under for the tournament, but a pair of double bogeys on the backnine and another bogey on No. 15 pulled her back down the 60-woman field.
A final-hole birdie salvaged for her a second-straight 71 and a share of 29th place with two others at 211.
Saso was among those who teed off from No. 10 as tournament officials moved to finish the round early because of the threat of a typhoon.
Indian youngster Aditi Ashok is in second spot at 12-under 201 after a 68 while tied for third at 10-under are Lydia Ko of New Zealand (66), Hannah Green of Australia (67), Mone Imami of Japan (68) and Dane Emily Pedersen (70).
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