Golf

Yuka Saso rises to world No. 8 after Tokyo Olympics stint

Beatrice Go

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Yuka Saso rises to world No. 8 after Tokyo Olympics stint

NO STOPPING. Yuka Saso moves on to another LPGA tour event in the Women's Scottish Open

Murad Sezer/REUTERS

After an impressive run in the Tokyo Olympics, Yuka Saso returns to her career-high world golf ranking

Reigning US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso returned to her career-high world No. 8 ranking after finishing at joint 9th in the Tokyo Olympics women’s golf event.

Saso entered the quadrennial meet ranked No. 10 in the world, but flashed her resiliency as she mounted a huge comeback from an opening round 47th place to end her Olympic stint at joint 9th.

The 20-year-old golfer, who is the youngest in the 19-athlete Philippine Olympic delegation, finished with a 10-under par 274 after hitting a 65 in the final round.

She now has a 5.73 average to land on the No. 8 spot of the Rolex rankings after amassing 200.39 points over 34 events this year.

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Saso has been in the top 10 for over two months after her stunning US Women’s Open victory last June where she became the first Filipino and the youngest player in tournament history to raise the trophy.

She jumped from No. 40 to No. 9, then improved to No. 8 and held it for a month.

The 2018 Asian Games champion slipped back to No. 9 after placing 21st at the KPGM Women’s PGA Championship and 5th at the Marathon LPGA Classic. 

But there will be no rest for the Filipino-Japanese as she headed to the United Kingdom for the Women’s Scottish Open that will be held on August 12 to 15 at Dumbarnie Links in Leven.

World No. 1 and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Nelly Korda of America continued to solidify her hold of the top spot with an average of 10.49 points.

Korda was nothing short of outstanding especially after winning three LPGA titles, including her maiden major title in the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship, this year.

South Korea’s Jin Young Ko (8.75) follows at second place, while Inbee Park takes the No. 3 spot (7.78).

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– Rappler.com

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Beatrice Go

More commonly known as Bee, Beatrice Go is a multimedia sports reporter for Rappler, who covers Philippine sports governance, national teams, football, and the UAAP. Stay tuned for her news and features on Philippine sports and videos like the Rappler Athlete’s Corner and Rappler Sports Timeout.