Yuka Saso staggered with a three-over-par 75 for a share of 90th place at the start of the 2022 Chevron Championship in Rancho Mirage, California Friday.
The reigning US Women’s Open champion struggled with nines of 37-38 that include six bogeys against three birdies to trail co-leaders Jennifer Kupcho and Minjee Lee by nine shots.
Kupcho fired nine birdies against three bogeys to clinch the top leaderboard while Lee blasted six birdies to finish the round bogey-free.
Also struggling with Saso with a similar 75 were 2020 champion Mirim Lee and 2013 titlist Inbee Park.
Saso opened with two birdies and a bogey in the first four holes before blowing cold with four more bogeys including the par-3 14th hole.
She briefly bounced back with a birdie 3 on the 15th, but couldn’t find her fine form and stumbled with another bogey on the 18th.
Patty Tavatanakit, meanwhile, appeared on track of defending her title after only training Kupcho and Lee by one stroke with a 67.
At the crowded fourth place with a 68 were Gabriela Ruffels, Lydia Ko, Georgia Hall, Anna Nordqvist, Caroline Masson and Pajaree Anannarukarn.
Saso tees off at 1:11 p.m. (US time) along with Stacy Lewis with high hopes of avoiding the cut.