MANILA, Philippines — Regardless of a latest stoop in type, Yuka Saso stays undeterred as she heads into the eightieth US Girls’s Open at Erin Hills, chasing what can be a historic third title.
With 4 missed cuts in her final 5 tournaments, the Filipina-Japanese star might be forgiven for approaching the LPGA’s premier main with warning. As an alternative, she arrives brimming with optimism, grounded self-awareness and her trademark good humor.
“Oh, I’ve been struggling,” Saso admitted candidly throughout the conventional pre-tournament press convention, flashing a light-hearted smile. Requested about her ideas on the formidable Erin Hills format, she described it as each enjoyable and grueling — a course that calls for bodily endurance and psychological resilience.
The ICTSI-backed ace highlighted the par-3 ninth gap, which World No. 1 Nelly Korda referred to as “diabolical,” and the lengthy par-5 14th as significantly noteworthy. The 6,835-yard course, identified for its links-style structure and vital elevation adjustments, poses a stern take a look at even by fashionable LPGA requirements.
“It’s an extended stroll,” Saso, 23, mentioned with a giggle, her straightforward demeanor hinting at her consolation with the extreme environment of main championships. In any case, it was on the US Girls’s Open in 2021 the place she shocked the golf world together with her breakthrough win, setting the tone for a promising profession on the rise.
“Persistence shall be simply as essential as ball-striking out right here,” she emphasised, noting the psychological focus required to navigate Erin Hills.
Saso’s marketing campaign begins Thursday (Friday Manila time) at 7:40 a.m., teeing off from the tenth gap alongside world No. 3 Lydia Ko and rising Filipino beginner Rianne Malixi, who’s making her main debut.
It’s a compelling pairing — three ladies at completely different levels of their careers, however all with one thing to show.
When the tone of the press convention turned extra critical, Saso was fast to acknowledge the problem forward.
“It’s a links-style course, so it’s very windy. I feel it’s going to be a superb problem,” she mentioned. “I had three observe rounds. I attempted to be taught the course as a lot as I can. The situations could be actually robust, particularly for a US Girls’s Open. I nonetheless want a number of extra days to totally modify.”
Reflecting on her two USWO victories, she spoke with humor and humility.
Requested what it’s about this championship that brings out her greatest, she smiled and mentioned: “Possibly how robust it’s. I feel it makes me focus extra… although I must be specializing in each event.”
One other giggle adopted. “It’s so troublesome that I’ve no time to calm down — and that makes me focus deeper. I feel that helps.”
Pressed on how her second win in comparison with the primary, she once more discovered laughter within the distinction.
“The primary one was life-changing… the second was additionally life-changing,” she mentioned, earlier than laughing once more. Then, gathering her ideas: “To name myself a two-time main champion, and higher but, a two-time US Girls’s Open champion — that’s one thing particular.”
However she admitted that success got here with surprising challenges.
“There was no stress, actually. It was extra concerning the challenges after successful,” Saso defined. “Transferring to America, residing removed from residence — that was probably the most troublesome components after the primary win.”
She continued, “After the second win, I didn’t really feel an enormous shift. I simply thought, ‘Okay, I could be higher.’ I felt that every single day. That made me blissful. No stress — simply extra motivation.”
As for her aim now? She saved it easy: “Win one other one,” adopted by one other giggle.
“It doesn’t should be the US Girls’s Open. Any win would make me blissful. However after all, one other USWO title can be much more particular. Profitable retains me motivated.”
Saso says her preparation has remained constant.
“I’m simply attempting to get myself prepared — recuperate properly every single day. Benefit from the course of. Don’t hurry issues. That helps me keep within the second, not really feel overwhelmed,” she mentioned. “I’m used to longer programs, so I’m specializing in attending to know the format shortly, taking notes, and working towards as a lot as I can.”
Following her missed minimize on the Chevron Championship in April, she mirrored truthfully on her struggles.
“There was an excessive amount of occurring — from the tee, every little thing after Chevron,” she mentioned. “In fact, I felt pissed off. However I additionally perceive that golf isn’t an ideal recreation. I can’t be good with it. What I do get pleasure from is the grind — when issues aren’t going properly, that’s after I discover pleasure in attempting to show it round.”
Although outcomes haven’t matched her excessive requirements these days, Saso stays resilient and confident.
“I’ve been struggling, sure. However that doesn’t make me really feel like I can’t play golf anymore,” she mentioned. “Truly, not enjoying properly teaches me to be extra affected person, to belief myself, and to seek for that momentum.”
