Saso finishes second in Women's PGA tourney, pockets P48 million
Published Jun 26, 2023 02:43 am
Yuka Saso fired a blistering 5-under-par 66 to finish just one stroke behind eventual champion Ruoning Yin at the close of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at the rain-soaked layout in Springfield, New Jersey on Sunday, June 25 (Monday in Manila).
Starting five shots behind third-round leader Leona Maguire, the Fil-Japanese blasted five birdies in the first 15 holes before encountering a bogey mishap on the 16th. Saso birdied the last hole with an impressive shot from the bunker to match Yin for the lead but the Chinese golfer answered by landing her approach 10 feet from the hole and rolled in the tension-packed birdie putt for the victory in the year's second women's major tournament. "After the tee shot I saw Yuka make an incredible birdie here, I knew I had to make birdie at this hole to win the championship and I'm glad I did it," Yin told AFP. Saso finished with a four-round total of 277 following earlier rounds of 69, 73 and 69. It was the best finish for Saso so far since also finishing second in the T-Point Eneos Golf Tournament in the Japan LPGA last March. In the LPGA scene, the 2021 US Women’s Open champion only managed as high as sixth in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions last January. Saso’s runner-up finish earned her $875,130 (around P48.7 million). Yin, meanwhile, came through with a closing bogey-free 67 to capture the crown and the $1.5 million top purse with a 276 total as Maguire staggered with a 74 for 280 at joint 11th. Sharing third with 278 were Carlota Ciganda, who fired an eagle-aided, bogey-free 64, Anna Nordqvist (65) and Megan Khang (67).
*Yuka Saso reacts to a putt on the 18th green during the final round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club on June 25, 2023 in Springfield, New Jersey. (AFP)
*Starting five shots behind third-round leader Leona Maguire, the Fil-Japanese blasted five birdies in the first 15 holes before encountering a bogey mishap on the 16th. Saso birdied the last hole with an impressive shot from the bunker to match Yin for the lead but the Chinese golfer answered by landing her approach 10 feet from the hole and rolled in the tension-packed birdie putt for the victory in the year's second women's major tournament. "After the tee shot I saw Yuka make an incredible birdie here, I knew I had to make birdie at this hole to win the championship and I'm glad I did it," Yin told AFP. Saso finished with a four-round total of 277 following earlier rounds of 69, 73 and 69. It was the best finish for Saso so far since also finishing second in the T-Point Eneos Golf Tournament in the Japan LPGA last March. In the LPGA scene, the 2021 US Women’s Open champion only managed as high as sixth in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions last January. Saso’s runner-up finish earned her $875,130 (around P48.7 million). Yin, meanwhile, came through with a closing bogey-free 67 to capture the crown and the $1.5 million top purse with a 276 total as Maguire staggered with a 74 for 280 at joint 11th. Sharing third with 278 were Carlota Ciganda, who fired an eagle-aided, bogey-free 64, Anna Nordqvist (65) and Megan Khang (67).