Yuka Saso Becomes Youngest Woman to Win the US Women's Open

19-year-old Yuka Saso has become the first Filipino and the youngest player in tournament history to win the US Women’s Open golf championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco on Sunday, June 6, 2021.

All week Yuka Saso relished fans’ support from nearby Daly City, home to a large Filipino community. While Saso had trouble during the match and had back-to-back double bogeys earlier, competitor Nasa Hataoka surged from behind with three birdies on her last six holes. Both players made pars on holes nine and 18 in the two-hole playoff, sending the match to sudden death back at the ninth hole. Her opponent could only produce pars on the three playoff holes, while Saso’s 10-foot putt for birdie on the third playoff hole yesterday contributed to her advantage in knocking out Hataoka.

Other competitors to finish under par at Olympic Club were Megan Khang and Shanshan Feng, who both were at 2 under. Lexi Thompson, who had a 5-stroke lead following the eighth hole, faltered in the final seven holes to finish a stroke behind. Lastly, Megha Ganne shot a 77 and accomplished 3 over as the low amateur for the tournament.

Instantly after her victory, Saso was granted LPGA Tour membership and earned a five-year exemption. She is the 21st player to make the U.S. Women’s Open title her first LPGA Tour victory.

In other news, pro golfer Rory McIlroy unexpectedly withdrew from a Memorial Tournament Pro-Am last week.