Yuka sets out for PH Ladies repeat

Saso watches her tee shot in practice

Asian Games double gold medal winner Yuka Saso, a prodigious talent already ripe for the pros, opens defense of her Champion Philippine Ladies Amateur Open crown starting Tuesday at exclusive Manila Golf Club inside posh Forbes Park.

A crack 94-player field, counting 58 foreigners, will be out to spoil the Filipino-Japanese’s repeat bid, though the 17-year-old is listed to be a cut above everyone else in the region.

The well-manicured layout puts premium on placements off the tees and putting, that’s why Saso has spent a lot of time practicing her putting stroke with Manila Golf’s greens having the tendency to be unpredictable.

“The greens are tough and I think it will all boil down to putting,” said Saso, who spent the rest of Monday’s practice round.

Chinese Taipei is sending the biggest delegation with 31 players, with Singapore and the United States fielding six each and four coming from Korea. Australia and Thailand will be represented by three players each and Japan two.

The Philippines has won the last three editions of this prestigious event, with Princess Superal touching off the streak in 2016 at Tagaytay Midlands and Bianca Pagdanganan winning at Wack Wack the following year.

Saso’s victory last year happened at The Orchard.

The Taiwanese are also all geared up for a crack at the crown with the seasoned Sung You-Chuan, Chiang Su-Er and Lee Shu Fen hoping for a strong start in the 54-hole championship.