Yuka Saso thrilled to face world’s best in US Open

MANILA, Philippines — Having slugged it out with the best in the ranks in the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Golf Championship and the world’s best in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s last month, Yuka Saso now gears up for a face-off with the cream of the world pro crop in the US Women’s Open in South Carolina on May 30-June 3.

The power-hitting Fil-Japanese shotmaker put in a pair of solid rounds – a six-under 66 and a 67 – to top the 36-hole sectional qualifier at the Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta Monday, thus gaining a coveted berth in one of LPGA Tour’s majors slated at the Country Club of Charleston in Charleston, SC.

“I’m so happy to have finally qualified for the Open. It’s something I’ve been working on,” said Saso, who failed in her first four tries in the cutthroat competition where only the top two from each sectional elims earning spots in the elite championship.

“I can’t wait to tee it up with the LPGA stars,” added the reigning Asian Games gold medalist who tied for third in Augusta but hobbled to finish joint 17th in the AsPac tilt in Japan.

Saso also brought home two USGA silver medals as the event’s low scorer and low amateur.

Forty-seven of the top 50 players in the world banner the 74th staging of the Open, including defending champion Thai Ariya Jutanugard along with past winners Sung Hyun Park, In Gee Chun, Inbee Park and Na Yeon Choi of Korea, Brittany Lang, Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr of the US and Aussie legend Karrie Webb.

American Jennifer Kupcho, who ruled the Augusta event, also topped the elims in Greensboro, North Carolina and will join the reigning back-to-back Philippine Ladies Amateur Open champion in the blue-ribbon event.

Saso had actually faced then world No. 1 Park in the inaugural The Country Club Invitational last March where she impressed the Korean in all three days with her superb shotmaking and toughness. She said she’ll toughen up further in the next two weeks and hopes to reach peak form in time for the big event.