After recovering to find form in her most recent tournament, Yuka Saso had it rough in her second LPGA of Japan majors.
The tour’s two-time champion had to settle for a tie in 14th place for an aggregate of 2-under 286 at the close of the 2020 Japan Women’s Open Golf Championships in The Classic Golf Course, Fukuoka, Sunday afternoon.
Saso started the day at an even 216 after a shaky third round resulting in a 1-over 73, which put her at tied-25th.
The tour rookie registered three birdies in the first, third, and seventh holes for a 2-under 34 after the front nine. However, another bogey in the 10th hole after the initial one at the second made it hard for the Fil-Japanese to catch up. She then managed only pars along the course before that round-ending birdie in the final hole.
Erika Hara took care of Sakura Koiwai’s challenge with a 16-under 272 aggregate, four strokes adrift the latter’s 12-under 276. Hara claimed Y22.5-million winner’s pot.
As of the latest counted tournament, which is the 51st DESCENTE Ladies Tokai Classic, Saso maintains her lead at the Mercedes Player of the Year Rankings over Koiwai at 687.35 points over the latter’s 544.0.
The 2018 Asian Games champion also keeps her lead at the money rankings with a total of Y63,964,000, pending the inclusion of the points and prizes won in the Fukuoka majors.
