Yuka Saso started well but encountered a rough ending to finish the first round of the 2021 JLPGA TOTO Japan Classic at 1-under 71 for a share of 24th place at the Seta Golf Course North Course in Shiga, Thursday afternoon.
The tournament was supposed to be part of the calendar of this year’s LPGA Tour, but was waived for the year due to travel restrictions and health concerns surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonetheless, there was no stopping the Fil-Japanese world no. 5 to return to the competition as it was nearly a month ago when she finished at tied-4th in the Founders’ Cup.
Saso had a lot riding on her as the highest-ranked golfer in the field, and with long-time tour rival Hinako Shibuno on her side, the Tokyo Olympian made sure she would start strong.
The 20-year-old Filipino-Japanese opened the day with gained shot at No. 1 and went on to register two more birdies in the front nine. A solitary bogey in No. 3 found Saso inside the top ten with 2-under 33.
Saso stayed near the top of the leaderboard, at a share of fourth place to be specific, after another birdie at No. 10.
However, she could not continue her momentum and found the backside testy and instead needed two more shots, one each on either No. 14 and No. 16.
Tour top player Sakura Koiwai zoomed to the lead after taking the same backside on five birdies, ending her day with 7-under 65 and two strokes ahead of Sumika Nakasone and Ayaka Watanabe.
Saso will try to climb back to the top with the second round of the tournament set on Friday morning in the southern Japan prefecture.
