Putting woes slow down Saso; Thai sizzles

MANILA, Philippines – Yuka Saso carded a two-under 70 marked by moments of brilliance and struggles on the greens, trailing Thai Pajaree Anannarukarn by seven strokes at the start of the Ford Championship in Gilbert, Arizona Thursday (Friday Manila time).

Despite birdying two of the last six holes to save a pair of 35s, Saso’s performance was more of a roller-coaster ride than the strong start she had hoped for.

Starting off with a fierce display of power off the mound, Saso birdied the first two long holes but encountered difficulties with her putting, leading to dropped shots on Nos. 6 and 10, both par-4s. The 2021 US Women’s Open champion needed late birdies on Nos. 13 and 18 to save a spot at joint 75th in a full-packed field of 144.

But with 114 players breaking par at the Seville Golf and Country Club course, the ICTSI-backed Saso faced the prospect of potential elimination from the $2.25-million championship with the projected cut pegged at three-under.

Bianca Pagdanganan also had a challenging day, finishing at tied 132nd after a two-over 74 marred by three bogeys against a lone birdie.

Despite Saso’s impressive driving distance (312 yards) and accuracy off the tee (12 fairways), her putting proved to be Achilles’ heel as she grappled with 34 putts throughout the round.

In contrast, the unheralded Anannarukarn put in a career-best bogey-free nine-under 63, laced by a five-birdie string from No. 5, as she found herself a bewildered leader, one stroke ahead of former World No. 1 Lilia Vu, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Isi Gabsa from Germany.

The troika actually shared the lead until the Thai came in with her sterling card in one of the late flights. She hit 12 fairways and 16 greens and made 25 putts, leading the assault at the par-72 which lay defenseless in the face of the field's near-impeccable games.

Vu also sizzled with nine birdies but made one bogey, while Ciganda and Gabsa flourished with a pair of bogey-less 31-33 and 33-31 cards, respectively.

But lurking behind them are a slew of top guns, including Celine Boutier and Hyo Joo Kim, who matched 65s, and World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who fired a 66 for a share of ninth with 10 others.