Yuka Saso claims NEC title, wins first JLPGA
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-Japanese Yuka Saso trumped her competition in spectacular fashion with a nine-under par 63 to capture the title in the NEC Karuizawa golf tournament Sunday at Karuizawa north course in Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture in Japan.
The Asian Games gold medalist is the first Filipino to win a tournament in the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association.
Article continues after this advertisementSaso was on target at the start of Sunday’s competition with five birdies in the front nine.
She then added a couple more birdies on the 10 and 14 while shooting an eagle from eight feet on the 16th hole.
Saso finished with a 16-under 200 in the 54-hole course, four shots ahead of Saito Fujita and Mai Wakabayashi who tied for second.
Article continues after this advertisementThe 17-year-old won ¥14.4 million (P6.65 million) from the total purse of ¥80 million (P37 million).