Yuka Saso bounced back and almost pulled off a flawless second round with a 6-under 64 in the 2021 LPGA Pelican Women’s Championship. She moves inside the top 10 off an 8-under overall at the Pelican Golf Club, Belleair, Florida, Saturday morning (Philippine time).
The world no. 6 had a rough start back in the States after an early mishap in the previous round cost her her game. However, it was another day to conquer and the Filipino-Japanese standout finally delivered.
Saso, along with her flight-mates in world number 1 Nelly Korda and American Danielle Kang, took advantage of the early morning conditions to make their moves in this round.
On her part, Saso started with birdie off the first hole, setting the tone for her day. But three straight birdies – a turkey – off Nos, 6 to 8 catapulted her to a share of third place with a 6-under overall.
Hole number 12 proved to be her waterloo once more as she needed an extra shot to finish the said hole. Meanwhile, another dropped shot in the following one saw her slide back outside the top 20.
Saso, the U.S. Women’s Open champion, would not have any of that this time. Similar to the Friday’s go-round, took care of Nos. 17 and 18 with back-to-back birdies for the final score.
Americans Jennifer Kupcho and Lexi Thompson snagged the lead after similar 6-under 64 scorecards pushed them to 11-under – just three strokes ahead of Saso; and a solitary hit off erstwhile leader Leona Maguire and Hsu Wei-Ling.
The third and penultimate round of the Championship is on Saturday morning in Florida. Saso will start off No. 1 at 10:42 AM (11:42 PM, PH time) with hopes of continuing her momentum towards a potential second LPGA title.
