Yuka Saso barely made the cut in the 2022 Chevron Championship Friday (Saturday in Manila) after shooting an eagle-aided two-under-par 70 in the second round at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.
Coming off a shaky 75 opening round, the 20-year-old reigning US Women’s Open champion resumed her campaign with a fiery eagle 3 on the second hole then followed it up with a birdie on the ninth.
But the Fil-Japanese lost her ground with bogeys on the 12th and 14th before sealing the round with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole to finish with a two-round aggregate of 145.
She was among the last to make the cut with the projected cut line of +1.
Saso’s second-round performance put her at joint 67th, 10 strokes behind solo leader Hinako Shibuno, who sizzled with a 66 for a 135 total.
Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit remained close to her title bid as she trails by a stroke with a 69 for 136 along with Annie Park (67) and Jennifer Kupcho (70).
Sie Young Kim and Hyo Joo Kim carded similar 67s for 137.
Saso tees off with Aditi Ashok and Cheyenne Knight at 8:31 a.m. in the third round with hopes of catching up with the leaders.