FILIPINO-Japanese Yuka Saso struggled in the third round of the AIG Women’s British Open late Saturday (Manila time), finishing with a 2-over 74 to slip to joint 27th place.
The 20-year-old Ms. Saso, the world number eight player, could not sustain the strong showing she had in the first two rounds of the tournament at Carnoustie, Scotland, finishing the day with three bogeys and only one birdie.
The reigning US Women’s Open champion now has an aggregate 3-under 213 heading into the final round, six strokes behind current leaders Anna Nordqvist of Sweden and Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark, who have identical cards of 9-under 207.
Ms. Saso started strong, with an opening round score of 4-under 68, good for joint fourth place. In the second round, she fired a 5-under 71 to stay within striking distance at solo fifth.
In the final round set for later on Sunday, Ms. Saso was to tee off with Mina Harigae of the United States.
Entering the AIG Women’s British Open, the last major tournament in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) for 2021, Ms. Saso said she was expecting a tough challenge but was looking forward to it, seeing it as an opportunity to grow as a player and have fun.
Prior to competing in the tournament, Ms. Saso represented the Philippines at the Tokyo Olympic Games where she finished tied for ninth place. She also competed at the Trust Women’s Scottish Open, winding up inside the top 15. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
