LPGA TOUR
Yuka Saso Creates History Winning The US Women’s Open.
Yuka Saso scored her second US Women’s Open title producing a three-shot victory at Lancaster Country Club, Pennsylvania. Aged 22, 11 months, 13 days, Saso becomes the youngest player in history to win the US Women’s Open on two occasions. In 2021, the powerful ball-striker won the US Women’s Open at The Olympic Club to match Inbee Park as the youngest ever winner of the coveted event. The Philippine-born now Japanese golfer joins Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb and Inbee Park as the only international multiple US Women’s Open winners.
Saso fired rounds of 68, 71, 69 and 68 to reach 4-under. The champion’s final round included four birdies during a five-hole stretch from the 12th hole to runaway with the title. Saso earns the largest purse in the history of women’s golf, collecting US$2.4 million. And, is the third player ever in LPGA Tour history to have won major championships as her first two career wins joining Seri Pak and In Gee Chun.
Japan’s Hinako Shibuno took solo second place at 1-under. The 25-year-old was aiming for her second major title after winning the 2019 Women’s British Open. Shibuno carded a 2-over 72 final round.
Americans Andrea Lee and Ally Ewing finished in a share of third place at even par. Lee headed into Sunday sharing the 54-hole lead with Australia’s Minjee Lee and Thailand’s Wichanee Yubol. The 25-year-old from California was looking for her second LPGA title after claiming the 2022 Portland Classic. Lee signed for a 5-over 75. Ewing began the final round nine shots back. The 31-year-old fired a stunning 4-under 66 for the equal low round on Sunday with Australia’s Hannah Green.
Perth’s Minjee Lee held a three-shot lead after eight holes on Sunday in search of her third major championship and second US Women’s Open title. The 28-year-old suffered a dramatic collapse dropping nine shots after making a birdie at the opening hole. Lee closed with an 8-over 78 to finish in a tie for ninth place at 3-over. Green’s sensational closing 66 moved her up the leaderboard on Sunday to finish in a tie for 16th place
World No. 1 Nelly Korda missed the cut by two shots. The 25-year-old American never recovered from a disastrous start on Thursday. Korda opened her assault on the US Open title from the 10th tee producing a bogey at her first hole before piling up a ten at the tricky par 3, 12th hole. The two-time major champion signed for a 10-over 80 and then an even par 70 on Friday to miss the weekend. Korda came into the event winning six times from eight starts in 2024.
Three players shared the low-amateur honours. Americans Catherine Park, Megan Schofill and Asterisk Talley finished at 12-over and in a tie for 44th place. Schofill won the 2023 US Women’s Amateur. Talley, aged 15, was the youngest player in the field this week.
The LPGA Tour moves to New Jersey for next week’s ShopRite LPGA Classic to be staged at Seaview Bay Course. South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai is the defending champion.
Final Scores
1. Yuka Saso -4
2. Hinako Shibuno -1
T3. Andrea Lee E
T3. Ally Ewing E
5. Arpichaya Yubol +1
Australians
T9. Minjee Lee +3
T16. Hannah Green +5
T29. Sarah Kemp +9
T51. Gabriela Ruffels +13
MC. Stephanie Kyriacou
MC. Keeley Marx (a)
Image Credit: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
