By WAYLON GALVEZ
Asian Games gold medalist Yuka Saso shot one-over par 72 and finished tied for 13th with seven others in the rain-delayed 2020 US Women’s Open won by Korean Kim A-Lim Monday at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas.
Saso’s share of 13th place was not bad as she earned $96,800 (roughly P4.6 million), to boost her fortune to almost P48 million counting her winnings in the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour (JLPGA) where she won back-to-back legs.
She could have fared better if not for a double-bogey on the 17th. She tallied a 289.
A-Lim Kim completed her stirring comeback win with a 67 for a 281and 1-shot win over compatriot Jin Young Ko and American Amy Olson,
Japanese Hinako Shibuno finished solo fourth at 283, and fifth was American Megan Khang at 285.
South Korea’s Inbee Park, a seven-time majors winner, wound tied for 6th with
Jeongeun Lee6 and Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn, whose sister Ariya shared ninth and 10th with American amateur Katliyn Papp at 287, while at 11th to 12th were MinYougn2 Lee of Korea and Sayaka Takahasi of Japan at 288.
It was some sort of a rebound performance for Saso since she finished the third round tied for 25th to 32nd following a 77. Saso was two-under in the tournament after a first round 69, and was two-shots back behind the leader through two rounds after a 71.
Lydia Ko, a two-time majors champion, finished in the company of Saso after struggling for a 76.
With them are Japan’s Eri Okayama, Sweden’s Linnea Strom, South Korea’s Hae Ran Ryu, as well as amateurs Gabriela Ruffels of Australia and Maja Stark of Sweden.
