Yuka Saso says Japanese passport 'will be very helpful for my career' | Inquirer Sports

Yuka Saso says Japanese passport ‘will be very helpful for my career’

By: - Reporter / @MarkGiongcoINQ
/ 03:48 PM January 25, 2022

 Yuka Saso of Japan watches the ball after teeing off on the 12th hole during the third round of the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on January 22, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.

Yuka Saso of Japan watches the ball after teeing off on the 12th hole during the third round of the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on January 22, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. Julio Aguilar/Getty Images/AFP 

MANILA, Philippines—Yuka Saso’s campaign under the Japanese flag has begun with the LPGA rising star finishing sixth in the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida.

The tournament was her first since opting for Japanese citizenship late last year.

Article continues after this advertisement

Saso, however, stressed that her decision didn’t change anything about her Filipino roots.

FEATURED STORIES

“Well, obviously for me it doesn’t really matter. I’m very proud of my dual citizenship. Whatever I represent, I’m Filipino,” she said.

“So it was just for passport more, because if I have Japanese passport then I can travel mostly everywhere with no visa, and that will be very helpful for my game, for my career,” the world No. 9 said. “So that was pretty much it.”

Article continues after this advertisement

The 20-year-old Saso was still representing the Philippines when she made history at the US Open last year. She also placed ninth as a member of the Philippine team at the Tokyo Olympics.

RELATED STORIES

Yuka Saso now officially representing Japan in LPGA

Yuka Saso makes bitter ‘business decision’ to change citizenship

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Yuka Saso

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.