Yuka Saso is celebrating the best of both worlds.

In 2021, the Filipino-Japanese golfer became the first Filipina to capture the US Women’s Open title. This time, she hoisted the silver Semple Trophy and became the first player to win for Japan.

She dedicated it all to her parents.

“Winning in 2021, I represented the Philippines. I feel like I was able to give back to my mom,” Saso said. “This year, I was able to represent Japan, and I think I was able to give back to my dad. I’m very happy that I was able to do it.”

Born in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, she moved to Japan as a child. When she decided at age 8 that she wanted to become a top-ranked player like retired Japanese golf star Ai Miyazato, her father relocated the family to the Philippines where the cost of living was cheaper.

“It’s just a wonderful feeling that I was able to give back to my parents in the same way.”

Saso, indeed, delivered a game to remember, banking on her impressive shotmaking and a back nine 32 at the tough Lancaster Country Club on Sunday, June 2, to close with a 2-under-68 for a three-shot victory.

She started the round trailing third-round leaders Minjee Lee, Andrea Lee and Wichanee Meechai by three strokes, and even fumbled with a double bogey on the sixth. But Saso held her composure, riding four birdies over a five-hole streak on the back nine to finish at 4-under 276 ahead of closest pursuer Hinako Shibuno.

She also became the youngest player, at 22, to win two US Women’s Open championships and joined Se Ri Pak and In Gee Chun as the only players to make their first two LPGA victories major championships.

It was also her first win since the Olympic Club, a victory so surprising that it finally erased some feelings of doubt over the past years.

“I really wanted it, as well — not just to get a second win but also to prove something to myself,” Saso said.

“I haven’t won in three years. I definitely had a little doubt if I can win again or if I won’t win again. But yeah, I think those experiences helped a lot, and I think I was able to prove a little bit something to myself,” she added.

Saso won $2.4 million (around P140 million) from the $12 million purse, the largest in women's golf and in women's sports at a standalone venue.

Saso represented the Philippines including at the 2018 Asian Games where she won two gold medals, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until late 2021, where she chose to represent Japan, primarily she has said, because of the access that passport provides. Japanese law forbids dual citizenship when a person reaches 22 years old.

She wished she could fly both flags. In her heart, she did.