Saso Cheers for 2 Wins Only at the US Women's Open

Final Day 2-Under Par Comeback Victory with 3.3 Billion Won 'Jackpot'
Back on Top After 3 Years Since Youngest Winner in 2021
Kim Hyo-joo and Lim Jin-hee Tied 12th, Ko Jin-young 29th

"I am the woman of the US Women's Open."

Saso Yuka is teeing off at the 2nd hole of the 4th round of the US Women's Open. [Lancaster, USA=AFP·Yonhap News]

Yuka Saso (Japan) has once again crowned herself as the "Major Queen" this year. On the 2nd (local time), at the 79th US Women's Open (total prize money $12 million) held at Lancaster Country Club (par 70, 6,583 yards) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, she added 2 under par in the 4th round to complete a 3-stroke victory (4 under par 276). This is her second career win in three years since she became the youngest champion at 19 years, 11 months, and 17 days old at this tournament in June 2021. The winner's prize money is $2.4 million (approximately 3.3 billion KRW). Golf legend Inbee Park also won at the same age as Saso in 2008. The oldest champion was Babe Zaharias (USA, 43 years and 7 days) in 1954.

Saso started in 5th place, 3 strokes behind, and recorded 5 birdies, 1 bogey, and 1 double bogey. After a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 4), she lost it with a double bogey on the 6th hole (par 3), then energized herself with consecutive birdies on the 12th and 13th holes. She added back-to-back birdies again on the 15th and 16th holes, extending her lead over competitors to 3 strokes. Although she made a bogey on the 17th hole (par 3), it did not affect her victory.

Hinako Shibuno (Japan) finished in 2nd place (1 under par 279). Andrea Lee (USA), who was co-leader with Minjee Lee (Australia) the previous day, lost 5 strokes and dropped to a tie for 3rd place (even par 280). Ayaka Furue (Japan) performed well, finishing tied for 6th (2 over par 282). Minjee Lee collapsed with 1 birdie, 5 bogeys, and 2 double bogeys, finishing 8 over par and dropping to a tie for 9th place (3 over par 283).

Korea has suffered from a drought of trophies for 13 consecutive tournaments since the start of this year. Hyo-Joo Kim and Jin-Hee Lim posted the best results, tied for 12th place (4 over par 284). Arim Kim and Miyang Lee tied for 16th (5 over par 285), and Ji-Eun Shin tied for 19th (6 over par 286). Ko Jin-Young, who had high expectations, finished tied for 29th (9 over par 289). Among KLPGA members, Min-Byul Kim tied for 26th (8 over par 288), Su-Ji Kim tied for 29th, and Hyun-Kyung Park tied for 39th (11 over par 291). JLPGA member Jiyai Shin also finished tied for 39th.