Filipino-Japanese and tour rookie Yuka Saso finished with a two-over-par 73 to place tied for third in the Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open Sunday at the Elleair Golf Course in Ehime Prefecture, Japan.
Saso, the 19-year-old Asian Games gold medalist, finished tied with Erika Kikuchi, who had a final round of 70, as the two had a similar four-day total of 275, six shots behind winner Ayake Furue.
The 20-year-old Furue shot a 69 in the fourth round and was 15-under for the tournament at 269 for a three-shot victory over Min-Young Lee of South Korea, whose final round 66 gave her 272.
Saso had the lead through two rounds but was relegated to second after Furue carded a 64 in the third round against her 67.
Saso’s comeback attempt in the fourth round started with a bogey on 1, and although she made a birdie on six, she committed a double bogey on 7 – her first double bogey in the event.
She also had a bogey on 12 and a birdie on 14.
The third place finish gave Saso a cool four-day earning of ¥6.5 million, or approximately P3.1 million for the ICTSI-backed golfer. It was still an achievement considering she missed to qualify in her last event, the Itoen Ladies Golf Tournament.
However, the streak continues for Saso as she looks to end a slump after winning back-to-back tournaments, the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament and the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament last August.