BY WAYLON GALVEZ
Asian Games gold medalist Yuka Saso gets another chance to prove her worth when she competes against some the best in the region in the Earth Mondahmin Cup starting Thursday at the Camellia Hills Country Club in Chiba, Japan.
Saso is thrilled to vie in the three-day LPGA of Japan Tour event though she cautioned her supporters not to expect much from her since there are again lots of good players in the $2.1 million tournament.
“Honestly, no expectations. Sometimes they don’t work for me quite well,” she said.
The Filipino-Japanese star, however, vowed to go all-out if opportunity presents.
“I feel good but more than anything else, I want to enjoy playing,” said the Fil-Japanese Saso. “Practicing frequently and putting all your heart on it produce outcomes.”
Saso’s pro debut was a forgettable one after missing the cut at Handa Vic Open but made heads turn when she finished tied for 25th in Women’s Australian Open.
The 19-year-old Saso tees off at 1 p.m. with No. 10 Japanese Aoi Ohnishi and Risa Murata.
Saso scored a come-from-behind win for the Philippines to pocket the singles championship in the Jakarta Asian Games two years ago and in the process helped power the women’s team to the title.
A total of 144 players are taking in the event, a first after almost three months of break due to COVID-19.
Momoko Ueda, a 15-time JLPGA Tour champion, leads the participants as she kicks off her bid at 1:10 p.m. with No. 1 Minami Hiruta and Moeka Nishihata.
