Yuka Saso 2 strokes behind leader Amy Olson in first round of US Open

Filipina-Japanese golfer Yuka Saso had a good start at the 75th edition of the US Women's Open held in Houston, Texas.

On Thursday (US time), Saso briefly landed atop of the standing, before ending at the fifth spot, tied with Sweden's Linnea Storm and Linn Grant, Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit, US's Gerina Piller, English Charley Hull, and Germany's Sophia Popov.

All of them are two strokes back of leader Amy Olson of the United States.

One stroke back of Olson are Hinako Shibuno of Japan, Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand, and A Lim Kim of South Korea, all tied at second place.

In a report by the US Golf Association (USGA), Saso said playing a major in the United States feels different.

"The golf courses are tough. It's long. Greens are firm. I have to use driver off the tee, but JLPGA sometimes I have to use shorter clubs. So yeah, I think that's the big difference," she said.

Fellow Filipina Bianca Pagdanganan is at the 37th place, tied with 17 other opponents.

Saso and Pagdanganan are both gold medalists in the 2018 Asian Games.

Saso also became the first Filipina to win a title in the Japanese Ladies Golf Association in August. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News