Saso keeps bid alive with 69

MANILA, Philippines — Unable to launch a frontside run, Yuka Saso uncorked a backside assault of four birdies in the first six holes but another last-hole mishap spoiled what could’ve been an explosive surge from the Fil-Japanese ace in moving day of the JLPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup in Miyazaki Prefecture yesterday.

After back-to-back 70s, Saso leveled up by a stroke, her day’s best 69 shoving her to solo fourth from joint 10th at 209, just three strokes behind Erika Hara after the pivotal third round of the Y120 million championship at the Miyazaki Country Club.

But her three-under card proved well enough to reinforce her bid for a record romp in the LPGA of Japan Tour, including the hotly disputed Player of the Year honors as arch rivals Ayaka Furue and Sakura Koiwai stumbled big-time in challenging day at the Miyazaki Country Club.

Furue and Koiwai flopped when the going got tough, limping with identical 75s.