Because of her historic win in women’s golf’s most prestigious tournament, Yuka Saso rose 31 spots to no. 9 in the world in the Rolex rankings.
With this, Yuka Saso will most definitely qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, joining weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz; boxing flyweight Carlo Paalam, middleweight Eumir Marcial, flyweight Irish Magno, featherweight Nesthy Petecio; gymnast Caloy Yulo; pole vaulter EJ Obiena; jin Karl Barbosa; rower Cris Nievarez; and skateboarder Margie Didal as Team Pilipinas’ contingent.
In Olympic golf, players qualify through the rankings as of June 28, with a total of 60 players making it to the Games. If by some disaster, Saso drops out of the top 15, she will still most likely be given the remaining spots as she will be part of the highest-ranked players from countries that do not already have two golfers qualified list.
Saso plans to remain active in the next few weeks to maintain her ranking, she said during a virtual press conference held Monday evening.
The 19-year-old, who was a double gold winner in the 2018 Asian Games, plans to keep on competing until August 4 to prepare herself for the Games.
“The Olympics is in August but there are still many tournaments before it. When it’s the Olympics, it’s game time but it’s game time every week but I don’t want to rush. I just want to take it week by week, play golf, and enjoy all the tournaments I can join,” she said.
Saso — who was born and raised in San Ildefonso, Bulacan to a Filipino mom and a Japanese dad — stressed that she feels proud to represent the country. And she will stoutly carry the three stars and a sun next to her name in competitions.
Moreover, the two-time LPGA of Japan tour winner is also proud of her Japanese ancestry.
“I actually think I’m sticking with the Philippines, and that won’t change. Whatever happens in the future, I’m still Filipino and I’m still Japanese. I don’t want to choose because I’m both,” she said.
“Why choose right?”
And for her, nothing is more gratifying than to give glory to both nations.
