Yuka bombs away birdies

Pinay ace hot in Oahu

MANILA, Philippines — Yuka Saso delivered a red-hot opening-round performance in the LPGA Lotte Championship in Oahu, Hawaii on Wednesday, firing eight birdies to grab a share of the lead with American Britanny Altomare.

The Fil-Japanese ace showcased her prowess in hitting fairways and green at the Kapolei Golf Club, knocking down birdies from as far as 20 feet en route to a leading 64.

Altomare caught up with Saso at eight-under, sparking her charge with a birdie binge from Nos. 1-7.

The 19-year-old Saso and Altomare seized a one-shot upperhand against South Korea Ryu So-yeon, and Americans Ally Ewing and Nelly Korda going into Thursday’s second round.

“I made some good putts, had good up and downs, my driving was very consistent today. I was able to hit where I wanted to hit,” said Saso, who hit the fairways 10/14 and made the green in regulation 17/18.

Starting from the back nine, Saso birdied No. 10 and complemented it with back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18. She made a long birdie on No. 4 then closed her round with four straight birdies.

Saso braces for tougher wind conditions in Round 2 when she tees off in the afternoon flight.

“In the back nine, the wind got stronger than this morning so I think I just have to be careful with my drives, keep on the fairways as much as possible and trust the process,” she said.

Saso is determined to make the most of her sponsor’s exemption in the tournament to earn her spurs.

“It’s really a good opportunity for me to learn from the other golfers who play here,” said Saso, Japan LPGA Tour mainstay who dreams of someday playing regularly in the LPGA.

Korda teed off in the afternoon group and made a charge up the leaderboard to finish one back of the leaders at seven under 65. Henderson shot a four-under 68 to sit just four strokes back of Altomare and Saso.

Altomare, ranked 52nd in the world and in search of her first LPGA Tour win, opened with a birdie at the 10th and was one-under at the turn after a birdie at 14 and a bogey at 15.