
Filipino-Japanese Yuka Saso solidifies her place among the best young golfers today after clinching the 76th U.S. Women's Open golf championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California.
Yuka beats Nasa Hataoka after finishing the final round tied for the lead at 4-under.
At 19 years old, Yuka became the second youngest champion to rule the tournament.
South Korean Park Inbee first achieved the feat in 2008 and also at 19 years old.
Yuka, however, is the first Filipino player to win the tournament.
“I was just glad and thankful that I was here and able to play in this tournament,” said Yuka, who is likely to represent the Philippines at the Tokyo Olympics this year.
“I'd like to thank my family. I wouldn't be here without them.”
Photo by: uswomensopen (IG)
She also spoke in Filipino when asked by sports correspondent TJ Manotoc during the press conference after the game.
“After three holes, nag-dalawang double bogey po ako. Medyo nainis po ako nun pero kinausap ako [ng] caddie ko. Sabi niya, marami pang butas. Just keep trusting myself. 'Yun po ang nakatulong sa akin. Maraming salamat po,” she said.
Yuka also took time to thank the Filipino crowd who supported her at this year's tournament.
“Maraming salamat po at ang dami niyo pong binigay sa akin na energy. Salamat po.”
This is not the first time that Yuka has given honor to the Philippines.
She bagged two gold medals while representing the Philippines at the 2018 Asian Games held in Indonesia.
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Meanwhile, another athlete with Filipino roots is making waves in sports. Meet David Alaba, the half-Pinoy football star in Europe.