Saso surges to the top with 68; Korda limps with an 80

MANILA, Philippines – Yuka Saso delivered a remarkable 68 to seize the lead and spark hopes for a second US Women’s Open crown in three years.

While much of the field scrambled and struggled at the tough Lancaster Country Club, which all but saw world No. 1 Nelly Korda’s bid for a Grand Slam dream shatter, Saso endured a shaky three-birdie, two-bogey front nine. She then snapped a run of five pars on the back nine with back-to-back birdies from No. 15 that cushioned the impact of a last-hole misstep, carding a pair of 34s at the par-70 layout in Lancaster, Pennsylvania Thursday (Friday Manila time).

Saso led Thai Wichanee Meechai, American Andrea Lee and French amateur Adela Cernousek by one stroke after the trio matched 69s in difficult conditions. Ten others, including major winners Sei Young Kim and Minjee Lee, carded identical 70s.

Though 18 holes do not make a major champion, the ICTSI-backed Saso can lean on her remarkable start to fuel her bid for a second major crown. She previously edged Nasa Hataoka in sudden death to win the 2021 edition of the prestigious LPGA Tour major in San Francisco.

Saso hit 10 fairways and 12 greens, shining on the putting surface with 27 putts, including two crucial saves from the bunkers. The strong start comes after she missed the cut for the first time in tournaments this season.

But she insisted it was pure luck.

“I think I was luckier than I was good today (Friday). I made some really good putts and had very few long par putts towards the end,” said Saso.

Reflecting on her round, Saso noted that she hit a good drive on No. 10 but messed up her approach shot, leaving her with a 6-to-7-foot putt for par, which she made. On No. 11, she overshot the green, leaving herself a difficult chip shot that rested 15 feet from the cup. She holed it in.

On No. 12, where Korda struggled, Saso’s tee-shot landed in the left bunker. She blasted it to about 12 to 15 feet from the hole and drained the putt. “I was just lucky,” she humbly stated.

Despite her lead, Saso tempered expectations for another major title run.

“It’s always good to be back seeing familiar faces. It’s the biggest major, a very difficult week of the year. But I don’t