Yuka Saso and Australian Minji Lee saved their best for last, capping off their 2021 LPGA Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in fifth place as the tournament closed at the Midland Country Club in Michigan, Sunday morning (Manila time).
After a near-flawless performance from the previous round, the Filipino-Australian duo went off to a strong start as both players took an eagle at the par-4 No. 2.
Saso and Lee then went to 15-under after the first nine holes after Lee took care of the No. 9 with one less stroke.
The two then zoomed into contention after another eagle from Lee in No.12 as they went to 17-under, before Saso’s birdie in No. 14 saw them into a tie for the second spot.
Both players missed on the chance to go up after the two both needed an extra shot to finish No. 17 as results from the other teams ultimately pushed them down to solo fifth spot.
Bianca Pagdanganan and USA Sarah Schmelzel ended in a tie for 12th place after a bogey-less performance from the latter saw them to a 4-under 66.
The 23-year-old Filipino registered three birdies throughout the round, but succumbed to the par-5 No. 11. Nonetheless, it was Schmelzel’s score that counted for the hole’s score.
Dottie Ardina completed the Philippines’ campaign for the tournament as she and South African partner Paula Reto went up to a tie of 35th place with a 1-under 69 for the day and 6-under 274.
Ardina is set to compete in the next LPGA tournament – a Majors – the 2021 LPGA Evian Championship in the Evian Resort Golf Club in Évian-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie, France.
