Yuka Saso rallies, claims Ladies Open by 2

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite, Philippines — Yuka Saso made it two-in-row in two weeks, putting on a late charge to stun Mikha Fortuna and snare the 2018 Champion Infinity Philippine Ladies Open crown by two on a 70 at the Orchard Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Saso closed out in a flourish, gunning down three birdies in the last six holes, including a big shot on No. 15, to overhaul a three-stroke deficit then capped her stirring rally with a chip-in birdie on the final hole for a 36-34 and a 54-hole total of 209.

Fortuna, who stunned the elite field with a solid 65 Thursday, hung tough in a windy day but cracked under pressure in the closing holes, mishitting her drive on No. 15 and missing a couple of birdie putts. She hobbled with a 74 and wound up with a 211.

Unlike in her wire-to-wire triumph in a pro tournament at Ayala Greenfield last week, the 16-year-old Saso nailed her second victory in come-from-behind fashion, finally claiming the crown after a runner-up and third place finish in the last two years of the country’s premier championship organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

“I never expected to win. Mikha was playing well but I got my own game going to No. 13 and that’s when I got the needed confidence,” said Saso, who also dominated the ranks by winning the Phl Amateur Stroke and Match Play crowns and the national junior title last year.

Three down and unable to shake off Fortuna after 12 holes, Saso pulled her drive on the par-4 13th in front of a tree. Caught between playing out or going for the green, Saso opted for the latter and came through with what could easily be the shot of the day.

She hit a lob shot from 70 yards, the ball clearing the huge obstacle and landing three feet off the cup.

Saso blasted another power drive on the short par-4 14th and made a one-pitch, one-putt for another birdie, pulling her to within one off Fortuna, who settled for pars.

The Fil-Japanese three-putted for bogey on the next but still drew level with Fortuna, who holed out with a double-bogey on an errant drive and a three-putt miscue then the former surged ahead as the latter muffed a five-foot par putt on the next hole.