Here comes Yuka!
The two-time champion bucked a shaky start to end the third round of the 2020 JLPGA Championship Ricoh Cup on a high note and rise to solo fourth, Saturday afternoon at the Miyazaki Country Club.
Determined to make a move this time, Saso rounded up her third stint in this course with a 3-under 69 or an aggregate of 7-under 209.
The rookie once more opened the day with a birdie at the first hole, before adding another one at the sixth.
Saso, however, flanked this birdie with two bogeys in the fifth and seventh holes to say at 4-under after the front side.
Two straight birdies in the 10th and 11th pushed the 19-year-old standout to as high as a tie for third place. She then tackled both the 13th and 15th holes with one less stroke for the finish despite a bogey in the final hole closing her day.
Erika Hara held on to the lead despite a hard-pressed 1-under 71 for the day. Her 10-under 206 is, however, just one hit clear of Yuna Nishimura and three from Saso.
The 2018 Asian Games champion’s main rivals in the rankings Ayake Furue (current leader) and Sakura Koiwai (number three) struggled for the day, both finishing with 3-over after 18 holes.
Saso will attempt to close her already impressive professional debut with the biggest trophy as the Ricoh Cup concludes Sunday.
