Yuka Saso followed up her solid opening 65 with an eagle-spiked 67 to clinch top ranking after the 36-hole stroke play eliminations of the US Girls’ Junior Championship at SentryWorld in Stevens Point in Wisconsin on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old Saso signed for an eagle 3 on No. 14, birdied the 17th, and then picked up two more strokes on Nos. 3 and 5 to finish with a 34-33 for a 12-under 132, five ahead of Aussie Maddison Hinson-Tolchard.
The reigning Asian Games gold medalist, who has won a couple of pro titles on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, also emerged as the only player to go bogey-free in the 36-hole stroke play classification.
As the No. 1 seed, Saso will take on either Ainsley Cowart of Georgia or Kayle Sakoda of California, who will be disputing the last and No. 64 slot in a playoff early on Wednesday.
“I really don’t play in match play except at USGA Championships,” Saso said. “So, to be honest, I’m a little nervous. But I’m trying to prepare and set myself up well.”
“I’m definitely happy,” added Saso, who is coming off a win in the Girls Junior PGA Championship in Connecticut last week.