Saso fires even-par 72 for share of 45th place in Women's PGA opener

MANILA, Philippines -- Yuka Saso settled for an even par after the first round of the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota Friday morning (Manila time).

The Filipino-Japanese standout scored an even 72 after the first round, as she is currently at a joint-45th spot after 18 holes. 

Saso started off the front nine on a rocky place, bogeying in the par-4 second and sixth holes while having a birdie in the par-5 third hole. 

But the 25-year-old golfer had a strong performance in the back nine. 

After an 11th hole birdie sandwiched her bogeys in the 10th and 12th holes, Saso took two strokes in the three-hole 17th and three strokes in the four-hole 18th to finish the round at an even par. 

After 18 holes, Korea’s Ina Yoon is leading the pack with a nine-under 63. 

She tallied birdies in the third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth, 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes as she had pars in all others. 

Coming in second is Australia’s Karis Davidson, who had a seven-under 65 after the first round. Alexa Pano and A Lim Kim are at a joint-third with a five-under 67, while Aline Krauter, Hye-Jin Choi and Megan Khang are at joint-fifth with a four-under 68.