Newly crowned US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso said that winning the prestigious title doesn’t mean things will turn out the same in her next tournaments, like winning the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
Prior to the US Women’s Open, Saso is at 22nd spot in the Olympic Golf of the International Golf Federation (IGF) for the Tokyo Olympics where 60 players in women’s golf will vie for the gold medal. The qualification for Olympic hopefuls is until June 22.
With her latest achievement, Saso moved up to No. 9 in the rankings, while fellow Filipina Bianca Pagdanganan, who competes in the US Tour, is currently at the 43rd spot.
“First, it doesn’t mean I’ve won this, I can win a gold in the Olympics,” said Saso, the first Filipino to win the US Open, during a zoom interview Monday, June 7, with local media hours after her first win on US soil.
“I still have to work on it, there are a lot of tournaments coming up. I just have to get back to work and focus on the next tournament, and let’s see what’s going to happen in the Olympics.”
The game of golf made its return during the 2016 Rio Olympics, first time since the 1908 St. Louis Olympics. It will make its second straight appearance this year in the Tokyo Olympics on July 28 to August 8.
If she gets to play in the Tokyo Olympics, Saso said she would continue to play golf, as she knows it.
“I’m not planning to change anything, I’ll just keep what I’m doing,” said Saso.
Saso scored her breakthrough victory in the US LPGA Tour by bagging one of the major championships Sunday (Monday in Manila) at the Lake Course of The Olympic Club in San Francisco California.
The 19-year-old Saso won it in style as she rallied back from an early miscue following a pair of double bogeys in the final round as she forced a playoff against Nasa Hataoka of Japan.
The two finished the regulation play with similar four-under 280, and on the third playoff hole, Saso buried a 10-foot birdie putt to claim the trophy and the top purse of $1 million, or approximately P48 million.
Saso also did it in record fashion as she matched the record set by Park In-bee of South Korea as the youngest winner in the championship's history at 19 years, 11 months and 17 days.
Saso turns 20 on June 20.
A two-time Philippine Sportswriter Association (PSA) Athlete of the Year awardee, Saso said that winning her first title in the LPGA Tour, especially in a major event is for her family and the country.
“I think it’s very special for me and my family,” said Saso as she tried to hold back tears. It is no secret that her Japanese Masakazu Saso was the one who introduced and taught her the game of golf, while her Filipina mother Fritzie has been fully supportive of her.
“I’m happy I won the tournament, but most importantly I’m thankful to my family. They’ve been there since the start... that made me emotional. This is just the start... also for the country I think it’s a good win.”
“But it doesn’t stop here. I hope we can get more.”