After maiden JLPGA win, Saso makes it two with a nailbiter in Hokkaido

After her history-making debut win in Nagano, Yuka Saso stepped up further to win her second straight Japan LPGA Tour win in just her third start at the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament Hokkaido Sunday, taking the bragging rights for the teal jacket.

Saso, the dual Asian Games champion of two years ago, hit the big shots to withstand the challenge of hometown bet Sakura Koiwai to nab the 36-million yen top prize with by finishing with a four-round total of 13-under 275, with Koiwai two shots back.

With the huge win under the chilly and rain-drenched Cherry Hills course in Hyogo, the Bulacan-born golfer moved to  the top of the Mercedes leaderboard by hiking her earnings to 59-million yen, dispatching erstwhile leader Ayaka Watanabe who wrapped up the tournament at an even 288.

Saso breezed through the first three days in a double-cut format, finishing two shots behind Satsuki Oshiro in the opening round with a 5-under 67, highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 13 before taking the lead in the second with a modest, yet bogey-free 69 to go at -8.

However, Koiwai took a bogey-free round of her own at the third, firing a 6-under 66 to set up the final tee group with Saso and amateur Hinano Muguruma.

Despite the elements and a double-bogey in the second, Saso held her nerve in the championship round by firing in more birdies than Koiwai in the round to wrap up a two-shot victory, highlighted by the 19-yard chip for a birdie in the par-3 12th.

Photos: Atushi Tomura/Getty Images