Lancaster CC provided a stern test. Just ask the world number one Nelly Korda, whose bid was scuppered pretty much from the get-go with that septuple-bogey 10 on Thursday. It was always going to take a class act to come through, and Yuka Saso brought the goods this afternoon, those four birdies in five holes on the back nine taking her clear of the pack. A second and most deserved US Open title for the young Philippine-Japanese star, who saves her best for the biggest tournament of all; these are her only wins to date on the LPGA Tour! A class act, with mentions in dispatches for Hinako Shibuno, who completed a Japanese one-two at the top of the leaderboard. It was a great US Open. Here’s to next year at Erin Hills!
-4: Yuka Saso
-1: Hinako Shibuno
E: Ally Ewing, Andrea Lee
+1: Arpichaya Yubol
+2: Ayaka Furue, Atthaya Thitikul, Wichanee Meechai
+3: Rio Takeda, Sakura Koiwai, Minjee Lee
The champion of the 79th US Women’s Open and recipient of the Mickey Wright gold medal: Yuka Saso of Japan! She raises the trophy for the second time, gets a laugh for thanking the club for making the course so difficult, then sheds a tear as she thanks her family. “I wouldn’t be here without their support, so thank you so much … and to all the fans who supported all of us … I appreciate your support and hope to see you all again soon … I just try to be very patient … that’s what you need to win a major like this … and just have fun … I enjoy the challenge … I learned so much about that hole! [her four-putt on the 6th] … it feels great … winning in 2021 for the Philippines I feel like I was able to give back to my mum … this year I was able to represent Japan and able to give back to my dad … I am very happy I was able to do it … it’s a wonderful feeling I was able to give back to my parents in the same way!”
