IN what will be their last tune-up event before the Tokyo Olympic Games, newly-minted US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso and compatriot Bianca Pagdanganan see action today (Thursday in the US) in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek Georgia.
They are among 156 players who will tee off on the par-72, 6,831-yard course. The event, considered one of five majors in the women’s game, offers a total pot of $4.5 million (roughly P219.18 million) and an eye-popping $675,000 (P32.9 million) champion’s purse.
Currently ranked No. 9 and 42, respectively, in the International Golf Federation Olympic qualifying ratings, Saso and Pagdanganan are certain to make the cut — the top 60 golfers who will see action in the Tokyo women’s Olympic golf tournament that will be announced on June 29.
Saso, who turned 20 last June 20, is a 50-1 longshot to win back-to-back major championships, according to Esten McLaren of Sportsbookwire in an article posted on the website golfweek.usatoday.com last Tuesday. The article also noted that the 2018 Asian Games double gold medalist is making her debut in the tournament as an LPGA tour member for the first time.
Saso had mistakenly thought that she had to play in the previous LPGA-sanctioned competition before she could compete in the 66th edition of the tournament, so was relieved to learn that accepting her tour card gave her free pass to the event.
“I didn’t know that I would get an exemption to be a member on LPGA,” she was quoted as saying in an interview at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
“So first, I’m very grateful and thankful that they’ve given me a chance of playing here. It’s been my dream. I think I’m more focused now on playing here and I think improving my game more, learn from the best golfers here in the LPGA,” she added.
The story underscored how “she learned rather quickly the benefits that come with winning one of the premier events in women’s golf. Having a major championship trophy at home opens a lot of doors.”
“It’s been great,” she said about her post-US Women’s Open life, including a visit at Torrey Pines where she got to meet her idol, four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, whose swing she has copied, before the start of the US Open last week.
“I met Rory (McIlroy. I met Phil (Mickelson). And (got a little) advice from Rory. I’ll keep it a secret. But I walked with him for three holes and videoed his swing, my own video.
“He was very nice, and all the questions that I had, he answered me with honesty. I think he was very sincere,” Saso, who brought the Harton S. Temple trophy to Torrey Pines for a photo with McIlRoy holding it together, recalled of the encounter.
Like US Open champion Jon Rahm of Spain, Saso revealed that she slept with her trophy after ruling the US Women’s Open.
“I posted on Instagram. Actually, my trophy stayed on the bed and I stayed on the couch. No, just kidding. Yeah, I slept with my trophy, yeah,” she said.
Rather than resting on her laurels, Saso said she is focused on the tournament at the historic club that has played host to one US Open in 1976, three PGA Championships in 1981, 2001 and 2011, and the 1990 US Women’s Open.
She said she is bracing for the hot and humid playing conditions as among the challenges she will be facing, on top of the elite field she will be up against.
“I think it’s going to be really hot, very humid,” she said, in contrast to the chilly weather that marked The Olympic Club for most of the US Women’s Open.
“And the golf course,” she said. “It’s very beautiful and long, and it rained three days in a row, I think, so it was a little bit wet, played longer. I think I need to hit good tee shots down the fairway so I’ll have a chance to get on the green.”
