Yuka Saso of Japan plays her shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on January 21, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (AFP)

Yuka Saso shot an even-par 70 to drop for a share of seventh place after two rounds in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida Friday.

The 20-year-old reigning US Women’s Open champion opened her round with four birdies on the front nine and appeared in control in the first 10 holes before stumbling with back-to-back bogeys on the 11th and 12th.

The Fil-Japanese managed a two-round total of 138 after carding a 68 in the opening round for joint second.

She currently trails Nelly Korda by four strokes after the American grabbed the solo lead with a 66 on seven birdies against a lone bogey on the par-4 fifth.

First-round leader Gaby Lopez fired a 68 for 135 to slip at second with Danielle Kang (67), while Korda’s sister Jessica posted a 67 for 136 at solo fourth.

Celine Boutier (67) and Brooke Henderson (68) were at joint fifth with 137, while Inbee Park tied with Saso at seventh after shooting a 67.

Lydia Ko (68), Matilda Castren (66) and Stacey Lewis (69) had similar 139s at ninth.


Source: Manila Bulletin (https://mb.com.ph/2022/01/22/yuka-saso-shoots-70-to-slip-at-joint-seventh-in-orlando/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=yuka-saso-shoots-70-to-slip-at-joint-seventh-in-orlando)