Yuka Saso Player Profile And What's In The Bag

Japan's Yuka Saso recovered from a three-shot deficit to become the youngest player to win two US Women's Open titles.

There had been a three-way tie heading into the final day, with Australia's Minjee Lee, American Andrea Lee and Thailand's Wichanee Meechai level at the top of the leaderboard.

But Saso, 22, produced a run of four birdies in five holes on the back nine to snatch victory by three strokes. Her two-under-par 68 saw her win on four under at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania, with compatriot Hinako Shibuno finishing second.

That gave Saso, who switched her international allegiance from the Philippines in 2022, her second LPGA Tour title - both coming at the US Women's Open.

Saso became the first Filipino player to win a major when she secured this title as a teenager three years ago. She was obliged to renounce one of her two citizenships before she turned 22 and chose to take Japanese citizenship.

Saso suffered an early blow on Sunday when she followed a birdie on the second by four-putting the sixth for a double bogey. But after steadying the ship she stormed clear as only two players finished under par, with Minjee Lee coming home in 41 for an eight-over 78 while Meechai struggled to a closing 77.

Andrea Lee posted a 75 to share third place with fellow American Ally Ewing, who surged through the field with a 66.

Saso is the third player to win major championships with their first two LPGA Tour titles, after after Se Ri Pak and In Gee Chun.

Player Profile

Saso was born on June 20, 2001, to a Filipina mother and a Japanese father. She started training in the sport of golf at the age of eight in 2009. She admired Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy as a role model and watched video clips of him as a teenager, modelling her game after his style.

At the 2017 PSA Annual Awards, Saso received an award for winning the gold medal at the 2016 World Junior Girls Championship as well as leading the Philippines to victory in the team event. Saso competed at the 2018 Women's Victorian Open as a part of the 2018 Ladies European Tour and finished at 17th position in the women's individual event. 

With Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go, Saso secured an unexpected historic gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games in the women's team event. She also won the women's individual competition, the first Asian Games gold medal for the Philippines in the women's individual event.

Saso also took part in the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina where she almost won a medal. After the final round of the women's individual competition, two other golfers, Alessia Nobilio of Italy and Emma Spitz of Austria, matched her result of 214 with Kim Grace of Australia winning the gold medal. Saso, Nobilio, and Spitz had to take part in a three-way playoff. Saso narrowly failed to win a medal with Nobilio winning silver and Spitz bronze. Saso also played in the mixed team event pairing with male golfer and compatriot, Carl Jano Corpus.

Saso did not participate in the Southeast Asian Games, opting to skip the regional games due to conflicting schedule in both the 2017 and 2019 editions.

Saso is one of the three Filipino golfers who competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. She finished 9th in the women’s individual event.

Saso turned professional in November 2019 after earning a LPGA of Japan Tour card for 2020. In late June 2020, she made her debut at the Earth Mondahmin Cup in Chiba where she placed fifth.

Saso earned her first victory at the 2020 NEC Karuizawa 72. She then won the next event, the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament. On June 6, 2021, she won the 2021 US Women's Open in a playoff against Nasa Hataoka, her first major title, becoming the first Filipino to win the tournament. Saso, at age 19 years, 11 months, 17 days, matched Inbee Park (2008 US Women's Open champion) as the youngest golfer to win the tournament.

Starting with the 2022 LPGA Tour, Saso would be representing Japan following her decision to keep her Japanese citizenship as per Japanese law on dual nationality.

Last 10 LPGA Tour Events

The US Women's Open - 1st

Mizuho Americas Open - CUT

Cognizant Founders Cup - T29th

The Chevron Championship - T30th

T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards - T9th

Ford Championship presented by KCC - T13th

FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship - T27th

HSBC Women's World Championship - T17th

Honda LPGA Thailand - T16th

CME Group Tour Championship - T23rd

Key Stats

Driving Distance - 265.93 Yards

Driving Accuracy - 70.20%

Greens in Regulation - 68.39%

Sand Saves - 41.46%

Putts Per Round - 29.03

Scoring Average - 70.72

What's In Yuka Saso's Golf Bag

Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond 10.5°

Fairway: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX 3-Wood 16.5°

Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW 19°

Irons: Callaway Apex CB 4-5; Callaway Apex MB ’21 Raw 6-9

Wedges: Callaway JAWS Forged ’23 46° & 50°; Callaway Jaws Raw 56° & 60° 10S

Putter: Odyssey Ai-ONE Milled 3T

Golf Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour X