Japanese dominate Women's Open start, but Saso slumps to 75

MANILA, Philippines, August 2 ------ In a leaderboard dominated by Japanese contenders, the name Yuka Saso was conspicuously absent at the top, as the two-time US Women’s Open champion continued her frustrating run in LPGA majors. Saso stumbled to a three-over 75’s opening round of the Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Mid Glamorgan, Wales, placing her in danger of another early exit from a high-profile tournament.

Saso’s struggles began early, carding a double bogey on No. 2 and a bogey on the next hole. Though the Filipino-Japanese briefly recovered with back-to-back birdies from No. 6, a costly double bogey on the par-5 ninth stifled her momentum. She posted a 39-36 for a 75, leaving her tied for 105th, three shots off the projected cut line. The ICTSI-backed star continued to grapple with her tee shots, hitting just five fairways despite averaging 259 yards off the tee. Her inconsistency extended to her iron play, missing seven greens and requiring 30 putts to complete her round.

It’s been a tough stretch for Saso, who has now faced another potential missed cut in the last major this year. She failed to advance at the Chevron Championship, US Women’s Open and the Evian Championship, and finished a distant tied for 66th at the Women’s PGA Championship. Despite the downturn in form, the 24-year-old remains optimistic about staging a comeback. A solid second round could still turn her tournament around and serve as a much-needed spark to rekindle the brilliance that earned her two major titles.

Known for her calm demeanor and powerful swing, Saso has shown time and again that she’s capable of resilience under pressure. A sharp rebound this week could mark the beginning of a resurgence in her young yet decorated career. Meanwhile, Japan’s Rio Takeda and Eri Okayama surged ahead with matching five-under 67s, setting the early pace. Takeda overcame a double bogey on the ninth with a late birdie run, while Okayama offset a bogey start with five birdies.

Miyu Yamashita stood a shot back after firing a 68 highlighted by an eagle on No. 9. Chisato Iwai turned in a 69 to tie for fourth with a diverse mix of players, including Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck, Belgium’s Manon De Roey, American Alexa Pano, Korean rookie Ina Yoon, Austria’s Emma Spitz, England’s Mimi Rhodes, In Gee Chun of Korea, and Japan’s Mao Saigo and Shiho Kuwaki.

Lurking within striking distance were world No. 1 Nelly Korda, No. 2 Atthaya Thitikul, and No. 5 Minjee Lee, who all posted opening 70s. Over in Indiana, Dottie Ardina resumes her Epson Tour campaign in Friday’s Four Winds Invitational at the South Bend Country Club. Paired with Mohan Du of China and Taiwan’s Yu Sang Hsu, the Olympian tees off on No. 10 at 8:14 a.m., aiming to sustain her momentum from a strong finish in last week’s Greater Toledo Classic, where she fired a final-round 66 to finish tied for 18th.

Fellow ICTSI standout Pauline del Rosario joins American Zoe Campos and England’s Amelia Williamson at 9:09 a.m. on No. 1, hoping to snap a streak of missed cuts in the LPGA's developmental tour. Clariss Guce will face a stiff challenge in a 1:14 p.m. tee time on No. 1, grouped with Americans Dorsey Addicks and Julia Gregg. Samantha Bruce, meanwhile, launches her bid at 1:36 p.m. from No. 10, alongside Mexico’s Maria Fassi and Lithuania’s Gile Starkute.

Source: philstar.com