Yuka Saso named PSA 2020 Athlete of the Year

Filipina teen golf sensation Yuka Saso continues to shine in the Philippine sports scene as she bags the 2020 Athlete of the Year award by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) come its traditional Awards Night on Saturday, March 27 at the TV5 Media Center.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the 19-year-old golfer turned pro in 2020 and bagged two straight titles in the Japan LPGA and landed a 13th place finish in her first LPGA championship major championship in the US Open last December. 

Saso was impressive as a rookie as she entered 2021 ranked 45th in the world and topped the money ranking with earnings amounting to P50 million during her pro debut season 

Her professional titles include the NEC Karuizawa Championship and the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament in the Japan LPGA. 

The Filipino-Japanese is also at No. 21 in the Olympic rankings, which puts her comfortably within the top 60 women who will be able to see action in the global sports showpiece.

This is Saso’s second Athlete of the Year award in 3 years since she picked up a double gold haul from the 2018 Asian Games golf event. 

Saso, who hails from San Ildefonso, Bulacan,  surprised the 2018 Asiad golf tournament when she topped the women’s individual event at 16 years old, leading to another gold medal in the team event as Bianca Pagdanganan picked up a bronze. 

Aside from the Athlete of the Year, the PSA will likewise hand out its regular awards such as the Executive of the Year, President’s Award, National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Major honorees in various sports as well as citations and recognitions are likewise included in the honor roll list. – Rappler.com