Yuka Saso found herself out of the top 10 as she struggled hard in the third round of the 2021 Scottish Women’s Open at the Dumbarnie Links in Fife, Scotland, Saturday.
After the conclusion of the third round,’ the 20-year-old Filipino, was at the bitter end of the lever as she posted a 2-over 74 for the day, pushing her down to a share of 15th place at 3-under overall.
As what happened the past two days, Saso once again opened the day with dropped shots. She took the first hole with a bogey before ending the front nine with another bogey. Saso suddenly fell out of the top 10 while other golfers make their shots and climb up.
The world number 8 tried to gain shots in the back nine, as she usually did in the first two rounds, but instead took back-to-back bogeys in Nos. 11 and 12.
Saso tried to mount a comeback in the last few holes to salvage yet another even-par round, and almost did so, only to manage just back-to-back birdies in Nos. 15 and 16 for her final score.
Elsewhere, overnight leader Ariya Jutanugarn found herself with company in the top at 9-under as erstwhile second-placed Charley Hull and Ryann O’Toole took advantage of the Thai’s up-and-down day to make their move up.
Fortunately for Saso, she is just six strokes off the leaders and in unpredictable tournament such as this one, anything can happen.
The current U.S. Women’s Open champion will try to go all out for second LPGA Tour title as the tournament takes on the links for one last time on Sunday. Saso will tee off at 11:12 a.m. (6:12 p.m., Manila time).
