Yuka Saso fired a closing six-under-par 66 but fell short of winning the LPGA Mediheal Championship title by one stroke in Somis, California Sunday, Oct. 9 (Monday in Manila).
Even an eagle 3 on the eighth and three straight birdies from the 16th couldn't help Saso in clinching her first title since winning the 2021 US Women’s Open as Jodi Ewart Shadoff held on to her lead to nail her first LPGA crown.
Saso had six birdies and an eagle in the closing round, but bogeys on the fifth and 11th hampered her title bid.
Eventually, the Fil-Japanese finished with a four-round total of 274 for solo second following earlier rounds of 70, 70 and 68.
She pocketed the $166,232 (around P9.8 million) runner-up purse.
Saso’s feat was her best finish so far this year after a third-place finish at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in January.
It was also her first Top 10 finish following that feat in Boca Rio.
Shadoff, who shot a final-round 71, led throughout the tournament with rounds of 64, 69 and 69 to finish with 273. The English golfer took home the $270,000 (around P15.9 million) top prize.
Georgia Hall (65), Danielle Kang (67) and Paula Reto (69) tied for third with 275.