Strong finish by Saso

Bags P7 Million for share of 4th

MANILA, Philippines — Yuka Saso rallied from an early double bogey to close with a one-under 70 and salvage a share of fourth in the $3-million Cognizant Founders Cup Sunday in West Caldwell, New Jersey.

Saso fired three birdies in the back nine to save a final-round outing stymied by a horrendous six on the par-4 No. 3 and eventually catch Korean Jeongeun Lee6 at No. 4 overall at 10-under 274.

The 20-year-old Saso finished eight strokes off Korean Jin Young Ko, who completed a wire-to-wire triumph at 266.

Ko submitted a 66 to beat German Caroline Masson (270 after a fourth-round 64) by four. American Elizabeth Szokol (69) took solo third at 273, one ahead of Saso and Lee6 (67).

It was the fifth Top 5 finish in 11 tournaments for Saso in a stellar rookie season highlighted by her huge victory at the US Women’s Open.

The Fil-Japanese star earned $138,664 (around P7 million) for her four-day work at the par-71 Mountain Ridge Country Club.

Fellow Philippine bet Dottie Ardina placed 33rd at three-under 281, netting $17,756 (P900,000). She capped her campaign with a 69 built around five birdies, a bogey and a double bogey.

Only four shots adrift to start the day, Saso virtually kissed her comeback bid goodbye when she dropped two shots on the third hole and made birdie-bogey cards on the eighth and ninth. Finishing strong, she gunned down three birdies in the last eight holes to secure a Top 4 finish.