A late-round mishap caused Yuka Saso some shots for an even-par 70, ending the day in a share of 17th place in the 2021 LPGA Pelican Women’s Championship, Sunday (Philippine time) at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
The reigning US Women’s Open champion had a solid round the previous day, but an early struggle was the one that set the tone for her round this time.
Saso opened her go-round with a bogey off No. 1, but quickly took it back with a gained shot from the following hole. She then got another birdie three holes after; only for she needed an extra shot at No. 9, which ended her front nine the way she started the morning.
Nonetheless, the Fil-Japanese star lurked just inside the top 15 and back-to-back birdies from Nos. 14 and 15 catapulted her back into the top 10.
Saso, however, found the following hole a tough crack this time and needed not just one, but two more shots to finish. Moreover, after two straight rounds of a birdie combo off Nos. 17 and 18, she settled for pars in the said holes — a snapshot of her struggles in moving day.
World number 1 Nelly Korda took advantage of movements across the leaderboard with her huge 7-under 63 pulling her up to a share of the lead at 16-under overall. Lexi Thompson, on the other hand, kept her spot at the top with Korda after a 5-under 65 for the day.
Saso, on her part, will try to end the tournament on a high note as the fourth and final round happens on Monday.. She will take on the course for one last time this year starting from No. 1 at 10:09 a.m. (11:09 p.m., PH time).
