Filipino-Japanese Yuka Saso failed on her ‘comeback’ bid as she carded a four-over par 76 to finish tied for 13th in the JLPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup Sunday in Okayama, Japan.
Saso, who was in joint fourth place to start the final round, managed a single birdie on 12 as she struggled with five bogeys after a bogey-free third round where she shot a 69 to put herself in contention.
Saso, the double gold medalist in the 2018 Asian Games, finished seven shots off tournament winner Saki Nagamine, who shot a 69 to finish at 12-under with a total four-day score of 276.
It was the first time in four days that Saso shot over par 72 after a 68 and 70 in the first two rounds.
Three players placed second to fourth spots at 277, Na-Ri Lee, Ayako Kimura and Hikari Tanabe, while overnight leader Yuna Nishimura also shot a 76 to finish with at 281 – tied for seventh.
Saso was aiming for a third straight title in the Japan Tour after she bagged the Nitori Ladies golf tournament title last August 30 Hokkaido, where she won a cool P16.5 million cash prize.
The 19-year-old Saso – a Tour rookie – initially won the NEC Karuizawa Tournament in early August.