‘What a talent’: Former No. 1 Stacy Lewis awed by Yuka Saso

SYLVANIA, OHIO – JULY 09: Yuka Saso of the Philippines watches her drive on the seventh hole during the second round of the Marathon LPGA Classic presented by Dana at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio on July 09, 2021 in Sylvania, Ohio. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Gregory Shamus / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — American veteran and former number one Stacy Lewis believes the LPGA Tour is in good hands with up-and-coming talents like Yuka Saso.

Lewis, a two-time major winner, was in awe of Saso, whom she played against in the recently-concluded Marathon Classic in Ohio. Saso finished in joint fifth while Lewis was ninth along with five others.

“I got to play with Yuka Saso the last two days and just, gosh, what a talent. Just fun energy, just really likable kid,” Lewis said, as per the LPGA.

“She actually came up to me after the round and I signed her glove for her. I said, ‘Is this for you?’ And she kind of put her head down and said, ‘Yes.’ So I put her name on it and everything. So just really fun to see the young talent like that,” she added.

Saso, the Fil-Japanese who just turned 20 last month, put the LPGA on notice when she claimed the US Women’s Open title in June.

“I’m 16 years older than her, but if that’s what’s coming up, we’re in a great spot,” Lewis said of Saso, who ranks eighth in the LPGA world ranking.

"I'm 16 years older than her, but if that's what's coming up, we're in a great spot."

Playing with young players like @SasoYuka_315, who couldn't help but ask @Stacy_Lewis for an autograph 😊, Lewis believes the Tour is in great shape. pic.twitter.com/6hiQuhPL16

— LPGA (@LPGA) July 11, 2021

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