Yuka Saso fades, falls to 3-way lead in Phl Ladies

MANILA, Philippines — Yuka Saso’s scorching start fizzled out on the tricky surface of Manila Golf Club as the reigning Asian Games gold medalist settled for a one-under 70 and a share of the lead with Thai Yosita Khawnuna and Mafy Singson in the Champion Philippine Ladies Amateur Open at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Forbes Park yesterday.

On fire with an opening hole birdie and a chip-in eagle on No. 4, Saso had thought she had the par-71 layout all figured out until she hit an errant approach shot on No. 8 for bogey and flubbed five birdie putts inside eight feet at the back.

“As I’ve said, the greens are tough. I could’ve turned in a better round and could’ve taken the solo lead,” said Saso, who banged in a 10-footer for birdie to launch her title-retention drive and hit a superb 60-degree wedge shot from 40 yards that bounced once and rolled into the cup for eagle on the par-5 fourth hole.

But she found MGC’s last line of defense not to her liking at the back, muffing birdie tries on Nos. 13 (8ft), 15 (6ft), 16 (10ft), 17 (12ft) and 18 (5ft) and enabling Khawnuna and Singson to get a shared view of the top, four strokes ahead of Chanetee Wannasaen, also of Thailand.