Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan were handed contrasting fates as they took on the other course of the Champions Golf Club for the second round of the 2020 US Women’s Open in Houston, Texas, USA, Saturday morning (Philippine time).
Saso went through the day at a steady pace at the Jackrabbit course to keep her 2-under card and finished just outside the top five. On the other hand, Pagdanganan had a rough finish to miss the cut after a 4-over 75 in Cypress Creek.
The 19-year-old Saso tried to replicate her bogey-free and birdie-laced start from Cypress Creek but found it difficult to shave off strokes off par.
The LPGA of Japan top rookie could only muster the required number of hits along the first eight holes of the Jackrabbit back nine before finally getting the par-4 18th hole in just three for a 3-under.
Saso kept that score for four more holes as she started the other side of the course, only to miscalculate number five and consequently needed an extra shot. She then had pars along the way to end the day at even 71 and a total of 2-under 140.
Pagdanganan, on her part, had a dream start, combining her signature power and accuracy, to open the round with three birdies in five holes in the longer Cypress Creek field.
However, great turned to worse when she missed on number seven and bogeyed it and needed two extra hits on number nine, pushing her to even for the day and back to 1-over in total.
Pagdanganan showed her power once again after she pulled off an eagle in hole 13, but that just negated the two bogeys she committed in 10th and 11th. A double bogey in 14th and the final two holes needing an extra shot saw the US LPGA rookie bid farewell to the tournament.
Saso’s fellow JLPGA standout Japan’s Hinako Shibuno leads the field at 7-under 135, three strokes clear of second-running Linn Grant of Sweden and five off the younger Filipina.
The 2018 Asian Games individual champion will try to carry the fight for the Philippines as she returns to Cypress Creek for the second half of the tournament.
Saso is scheduled to tee off at number one on Sunday at 12:51 a.m.
