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Saso closes in with 69 to trail leaders by 1

Sports | Golf

Saso closes in with 69 to trail leaders by 1

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

At A Glance

Yuka Saso survived blustery conditions and carded a 3-under-par 69 to trail leaders by one stroke heading into the final round of the LPGA Ford Championship in Arizona on Saturday, March 30.

Yuka Saso survived blustery conditions and carded a 3-under-par 69 to trail leaders by one stroke heading into the final round of the LPGA Ford Championship in Arizona on Saturday, March 30.

Yuka Saso3 — Yuka Saso inches closer to the LPGA Tour title after trailing leaders by one shot going to the final round of the LPGA Ford Championship. (File Photo)

Fighting the gusty winds at the Seville Golf and Country Club, the Fil-Japanese stayed steady by overcoming a four-putt double bogey on No. 15 with two birdies in her final three holes.

Earlier, she shot six birdies against three bogeys to tally a three-round total of 14-under 202 for joint fourth.

She had earlier rounds of 70 and 63, starting the round three shots behind overnight leader Hannah Green before trimming the gap.

Spaniard Carlota Ciganda, Korean Hyo Joo Kim and Sarah Schmelzel of the United States grabbed the top leaderboard while Saso tied with Sweden’s Maja Stark, who shot an eagle-aided 66.

Ciganda, who went to Arizona State and has lived in Arizona for the last six years, took advantage of her familiarity with the weather by firing a 66 to leapfrog from a share of 22^nd place to a shot at winning the LPGA Tour title for the first time in eight years.

The Spaniard powered her way on top with two eagles against three birdies and a lone bogey on 14^th before wind picked up across the course.

Kim, meanwhile, had three birdies for a 69 while Schmelzel posted a 70 on four birdies against two bogeys to share the top seat with Ciganda.

Saso, 22, is itching to end her title slump since winning the US Women’s Open in 2021.

She came close twice with runner-up finishes in the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship in 2022 and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2023.

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