Yuka Saso overcame an early four-putt to overturn a three-shot deficit and win her second US Women’s Open title at Lancaster Country Club.
Australia’s Minjee Lee, Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai and American Andrea Lee shared the lead heading into the final round and Saso’s chances of catching them took a massive blow when she followed a birdie on the second by four-putting the sixth for a double bogey.
However, Saso steadied the ship with five straight pars before making birdies on the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th to effectively seal victory.
A closing 68 gave the 22-year-old a winning total of four under par, three shots clear of compatriot Hinako Shibuno.
“I hit a good tee shot on 1 after three days,” said Saso. “I think I played pretty stable. I made double bogey on 6, though. I think that happens every time. I think that happened to me in 2021. I think that double is good luck.
“I was hitting my driver really good. I don’t think I missed a lot of fairways today. I putted really good. I switched to this new putter, Odyssey. I’ve been putting really well with that, and I think that helped a little bit, as well. I think I just stayed patient and enjoyed playing golf.
“I can be impatient with other things. But I think — I don’t know how to explain it. Just stay in the moment and trying to focus on every shot, trying to do my routine I think helps me calm down a little bit and be patient.”
Saso and Shibuno were the only two players to finish under par as Andrea Lee struggled to a closing 75 to share third place with fellow American Ally Ewing on level par, Ewing surging through the field with a 66.
Meechai fared even worse with a closing 77 and Minjee Lee limped home in 41 for a final round of 78.
Saso is the third player in history after Se Ri Pak and In Gee Chun to make major championships their first two LPGA Tour titles.
