Yuka Saso fired off back-to-back birdies in the finishing end of the round to save a 2-under 68 and a share of 23rd place to start the 2021 LPGA Pelican Women’s Championship, Friday morning (Philippine time) at the Pelican Golf Club, Belleair, Florida.
The Fil-Japanese world no. 6, who recently had a one-off return stint in JLPGA, wanted to come back stronger in the LPGA circuit. Instead, she failed to start the way she wanted.
Saso found the tricky No. 12 on the wrong foot after needing to take a one-shot penalty for an unplayable ball. The reigning US Women’s Open champion then had an uncharacteristic mishit from the tee that sent the ball into the waters.
From there, the 20-year-old golfer could not recover and settled for an even 35 in the backside. Meanwhile, three birdies – including a back-to-back off Nos. 17 and 18 – negated that mishap and the other dropped shot off No. 16.
Saso tried to keep up with flight-mates in world No. 1 Nelly Korda and LPGA standout Danielle Kang, but found herself wanting to gain shots after registering pars almost throughout the front nine. The drought eventually ended with those two straight birdies off Nos. 7 and 8 before ending it with a par putt at No. 9.
Leona Maguire set the pace on top of the leaderboard with an 8-under 62 for the day. The Irishwoman set the tournament record in bogey-free fashion with an equal number of four birdies each on either side, leading defending champion and world No. 4 Kim Sei-young by two strokes.
Saso will try to bounce back as the second round of the tournament takes place on Friday. Saso will still have Korda and Kang, as they start the following round early at 7:55 a.m. (8:54 a.m., PH time) from No. 1.
