Sunday, June 6, 2021. 8:36 PM
SAN FRANCISCO 0- Yuka Saso had a birdie on the third hole of overtime to beat Nasa Hataoka to win the US Women’s Open on Sunday.
Despite two double bogeys early in the round, Saso managed to force an overtime presentation. She confirmed her victory by stalling a 10-foot putt on the ninth hole.
Saso became the first female golfer from the Philippines to win a major tournament. She is also the second 19-year-old to win the US Women’s Open, after Inbee Park in 2008.
Hataoka and Saso both played par on the first two overtime holes, in the ninth and 18th. Back in ninth for the deciding hole, Saso had the advantage with his birdie.
American Lexi Thompson, who started the final round in first place, collapsed.
Thompson, who played plus-5 on his last seven holes, saw his five-stroke lead early in the set collapse. She finished third, one stroke behind Saso and Hataoka, minus-3.
Megan Khang and Shanshan Feng were the only two other players to finish the tournament under par, under-2.
Canada’s Brooke M. Henderson played 70 on Sunday to tie for seventh at plus-1.
Amateur Megha Ganne started in the last group and handed in a 77. The 17-year-old golfer, who shared the tournament lead after the first round with a round of 67, concluded the match. tournament ranked 14th at plus-3.
Quebecer Noémie Paré, Ontarian Rebecca Lee-Bentham and British Columbian Megan Osland also competed in the tournament, but failed to qualify for the weekend’s rounds.
