Saso still way behind in Toto Classic after 67

MANILA, Philippines -- Yuka Saso mounted a searing frontside assault but could only put in a 67 for joint 24th as the frontrunners continued to pound the Taiheiyo Club’s Minori course with lower rounds in the third day of the Toto Japan Classic in Omitama, Ibaraki Saturday.

Shiho Kuwaki charged back late with two eagles to fire a 66 and tie fancied Nasa Hataoka, who also turned in a six-under card, at 196. Meanwhile, Mone Inami stalked them at 197 after a fiery 65, also highlighted by an eagle.

Sora Kamiya missed forcing a tie at third with a last-hole bogey as she ended up with a 65 for fourth at 198.

Cranking up her power game, Saso birdied the four par-5s although she hit just eight fairways on a 289-yard norm and missed six greens. But she finished with 26 putts that led to six birdies, including four at the front on Nos. 2, 4, 7 and 9.

The ICTSI-backed ace also birdied Nos. 12, the third par-5, and recovered a stroke from a miscue on the par-3 16th by dominating the last long hole on No. 17 for a 32-35 and a 54-hole total of 12-under 204.

But she remained too far behind to pose a threat heading to the final 18 holes of the $2 million championship as she stood eight shots behind Kuwaki and Hataoka, whom she nipped in sudden death to record a major breakthrough in the US Women’s Open in 2021.

At tied 24th, Saso will need not only a solid start but also a stronger finish in the final round to improve on her ranking.