LESS than a week since making history in the US LPGA, Filipino-Japanese Yuka Saso struggled with a two-over 73 and failed to make the cut in the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Galloway, New Jersey on Saturday, June 8, (Manila time).
Unable to sustain an opening round of 69, Saso, who is the youngest player to win the US Women’s Open twice at 22, shot a 37 on the frontnine before dropping three more strokes on the backnine that spelled doom to her campaign.
A birdie to her closing hole was not enough to lift Saso as she finished with a two-day total of 142.
She was three shots off the cut set at 139.
Jenny Shin shot a 2-under 69 for two-day total of 10-under 132 and a one-shot lead over Swiss Albane Valenzuela, who carded a 68.
Dottie Ardina, however, survived the difficult conditions at the Bay Course of Seaview Resort by shooting a 70, ensuring her place in the final round.
Bianca Pagdanganan, who is set to spearhead the Philippines’ campaign in the Paris Games alongside Ardina, also fell by the wayside.
Despite an impressive 69 in the second round, she wound up with a 143 after a disappointing opening round of 74.
US-based Filipina Clariss Guce also failed to make cut, shooting a 75 for a 147 total.
