Yuka Saso birdies 18th hole, stays two shots back in Japan LPGA

Yuka Saso has birdied the Par-5 18th hole which has produced a score of 69 on Saturday—a valuable victory in the Japan LPGA Championship in Okayama.

Held at the JFE Setonaikai Golf Club, she totaled nines of 35-34, which then added up to a three-day total of 207. Saso’s score is now two shots away from Yuna Nishimura’s, who bagged late birdies for 67 and a 205 total. 

Nishimura is a shot ahead of Hiraki Tanabe with 67, and halfway leader Hee Kyung Bae of Korea with 70, a report added. 

Meanwhile, Saso tied with Sayaka Takahashi with 69; Saki Nagamine with 68; and Sakura Koiwai who also carded a 68.

Those who earned 208 were first-round-leader Min-Young Lee and Ayaka Kimura, who turned in 68 and 70, respectively; while Momo Yoshikawa moved to solo 10th with a 70 and a 209.

Nineteen-year-old Saso is gunning to become the youngest winner in one of the JLPGA Tour majors. If she reaches that goal, she will become the first rookie to win the event after Ai Suzuki’s victory in 2014. Suzuki was aged 20 at the time. 

Photo is from news.abs-cbn.com