The Philippines’ Yuka Saso captured her second straight Japan LPGA Tour championship after ruling the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament in Hokkaido on Sunday, August 30.

Steady down the stretch, Saso finished the fourth and final round with a one-under par 71 to end the tournament with 13-under par 275, two strokes ahead of home bet Sakura Koiwai.

The Filipina-Japanese, who topped the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament two weeks ago, held a two-shot lead through the 14th hole before Koiwai floundered and fired back-to-back bogeys.

Koiwai threatened a comeback with a birdie in the penultimate hole but Saso kept her composure with pars in the last 3 holes.

Saso pocketed around P16.5 million (Y36,000,000) for her win, raising her earnings to around P27 million (Y59,040,000).

The 19-year-old started the day on the wrong foot after a double bogey in the par-four second hole, allowing Koiwai to seize a one shot lead.

But Saso found her bearings as she birdied 4 of the last 6 holes in the front nine to regain the upper hand.

Up next for Saso in the Japan LPGA Tour is the Golf 5 Ladies Pro Golf Tournament, which will be staged in Gifu from September 4 to 6. – Rappler.com