YUKA Saso held off ICTSI teammate Bernice Olivarez-Ilas’ sizzling round to capture the 25th Annual Costa Mesa Championship crown with a closing three-under 67 for a three-stroke victory at the Mesa Linda Course in California Friday.
Saso lost in a final day shootout with Ilas, who scorched the par-70 layout with a sterling six-under 64, but the former secured the victory with back-to-back birdies from No. 17. She wound up with a 139, for her second straight win after the PING Summer Championship Series last month.
Saso, the 12-year-old newest member of Team ICTSI, birdied the first two holes at the back then holed out with two more to frustrate Ilas for the Class B (11-14) honors.
Sam Martirez carded a two-over 72 but still edged ICTSI teammate Abby Arevalo by two for the Class A (15-18) crown with a 146. Arevalo, coming off a win in the PING tilt, struggled with a 76 for a 148 while Sam Nakahira placed third with a 151 after a 76.
Sofia Chabon capped the Philippines domination of the event by finishing third at 149 after a 72 while Mikhaela Fortuna wound up fourth with a 151 after a 73 followed by local bet Chayse Gomez, who skied to a 79 for a 156.