Saso shares lead with Singson, Thai

Yuka Saso: One-under 70

Wrestling with a balky putter in the final nine on Tuesday, Yuka Saso settled for a one-under-par 70 for a share of the Champion Philippine Ladies Open lead with Mafi Singson and a Thai at posh Manila Golf Club inside Forbes Park in Makati.

The 17-year-old Saso, a double gold medalist in the last Asian Games, couldn’t hold on to a hot start with a three-putt on No. 14 and muffed birdie tries in her last four holes.

But despite her misadventures on the greens, Saso was still able to cling on to the pace together with Singson and Khawnuna Yosita.

“The greens are very unpredictable,” said Saso, who is shooting to win this event for the second straight year.