YOG: PH’s Yuka Saso in 2nd place after round 1 in women’s golf

Yuka Saso of the Philippines celebrates winning the gold medal on her last putt during the final round of the women’s individual golf event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 26, 2018. (Photo by PETER PARKS / AFP)

BUENOS AIRES—Asian Games champion Yuka Saso braved the windy condition and fired a one-over 71 for a share of second place in the first round of women’s individual golf Tuesday in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games at the Hurlingham Club here.

The 17-year-old Filipino-Japanese bogeyed three holes on the front nine against one birdie on the par 3 No. 4.

After Saso bogeyed holes No. 2, 6, eight and 10, the individual gold medalist in the recent Asiad in Indonesia posted another birdie at No. 11. Overall, she had five birdies and six bogeys for the day.

“It was quite windy out there. Good thing I was able to adjust,’’ said Saso, who wound up three shots behind solo leader Alesia Nobilio of Italy. “But I’m happy with my round.’’

Saso, tied for second with Grace Kim of Australia, Maria Fernanda-Martinez Almeida of Mexico, Hoyu-An of Chinese Taipei and Emille Oeveraas of Norway, will tee off at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday (9:20 p.m. in Manila) in the second round with Nobilio and Elena Moosmann of Sweden.

Carl Jano Corpus also fired an identical round of 71 in the company of three other players at fifth place and stayed two strokes behind the leaders.

Karl Vilips of Australia, Vanchai Luangnitikul of Thailand, Akshai Bathia of the United States and Andrea Romano shared the lead at 69.

After the 17-year-old birdied holes No. 3, 4, 6 and 14, Corpus capped the round with another birdie on the final hole.

Over at the the Olympic Park fencing hall, Pak Chan of Hong Kong defeated Lawrence Everett Tan, 15-11, in the round of 16, ending the Filipino’s medal bid in the men’s foil event for good.

Chan got off to a good start and led, 12-7, with 54 seconds remaining in the first round before finishing off Tan by scoring the last three points early in the second frame.

Swimmer Nicole Oliva also didn’t make it in the finals of the women’s 800m freestyle after clocking 8:52.29 in the qualifying heat. Ajna Kesely of Hungary won the gold medal in the event with a time of 8:27.60.

Oliva, who likewise failed to qualify in the 100m freestyle, will swim in the 200m free on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) and 400m free on Friday (Saturday).

Kiteboarder Christian Tio remains in contention for a medal in his event after finishing second, fifth and eighth in three races for the day.

The Filipino-Norwegian will sail for three more days and should keep himself within striking distance from the leaders for a possible podium finish.