Yuka Saso encountered a hard time keeping it going but still managed to remain inside contention as the second round of the 2021 AIG Women’s Open concluded at the Carnoustie Links in Scotland, Friday.
After a solid 4-under the previous day, Saso could only produce a gained shot this time. She went 5-under halfway into the tournament and slipped a spot further into a share of fifth place.
Nonetheless, the rest of the field had a tough time either as even overnight leaders Nelly Korda and Madelene Sagstrom could only produce a 1-over for the day. Furthermore, Saso remains just two strokes off the leaders.
The 20-year-old Filipino opened the second round well with back-to-back birdies at Nos. 4 and 5. That pushed her into the top three, just below then leaders Kim Sei Young and Georgia Hall.
Saso tried to produce one more gained shot, but instead missed on the chance at the No. 9 to end the front nine with a 1-under 35.
The back nine, which hampered the progress of most golfers during Friday morning, also bit hard at Saso’s campaign. She needed two strokes more to finish No. 12 — a hole she eagled the previous day.
The world no. 8 also needed to get out of trouble three holes after, with a par save rescuing her from a third bogey in the round. That instead kept her in the red for the round and at 5-over overall.
Hall kept her place in the top with 3-under for the day and at 7-under overall, but it was Mina Harigae who managed to pull off the biggest round to share the lead with her.
Yuka Saso, by virtue of her current standing, will be one of the last ones to take the links on Saturday. The 2018 Asian Games double champion will tee off at number 1 at 1:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m., Manila time).
