Yuka Saso of Japan plays her shot from the sixth tee during the final round of the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on January 23, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (AFP)

Yuka Saso limped home with a closing one-over-par 73 to finish sixth in the Hilton Grand Vacation Tournament of Champions at the Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida over the weekend.

The 20-year-old Fil-Japanese struggled with three bogeys against two birdies on the front nine for a four-round total of 279, seven strokes behind eventual champion Danielle Kang.

She had earlier rounds of 68, 70 and 68.

Saso’s stint – her first since started carrying the Japanese flag – earned her $65,497 (around P3.3 million).

Meanwhile, Kang grabbed the title from third-round leader Nelly Korda after shooting a final-round 68 to finish with 272 on earlier rounds of 68, 67, and 69.

The American, who went winless in 2021, started her year with a bang by also bagging the $255,000 (around P13 million) champion’s purse.

Canadian Brooke Henderson settled for the runner-up honors following a 70 for 275, while Gaby Lopez came in third after an even-par 72 to finish with 276.

Korda, for her part, stumbled with a 75 to tie with Celine Boutier at fourth with 278.

The world No. 1 Korda couldn’t find her old fiery form and floundered with four bogeys against a lone birdie on the par-5 15th hole.

Completing the Top 10 players were Jessica Korda (72-280), Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn (72-281), Inbee Park (73-281), Matilda Castren (74-284) and Lydia Ko (74-284).


Source: Manila Bulletin (https://mb.com.ph/2022/01/24/yuka-saso-finishes-sixth-in-hilton-tournament-of-champions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=yuka-saso-finishes-sixth-in-hilton-tournament-of-champions)