YUKA SASO fell short with her final-round rally and settled for joint 10th with a two-under 70 in the Fujitsu Ladies 2020 won by former Korean No. 1 Jiyai Shin in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
Five strokes proved to be too big a deficit to overcome for Saso failed to topple a 5-stroke deficit despite calm conditions at the Tokyu Seven Hundred Club course, missing two birdie chances before closing out her frontside with a bogey-birdie roll.
The International Container Terminal Services Inc.-backed power-hitter nailed two birdies against a bogey after six holes at the back then recovered from another bogey mishap on the treacherous par-5 16th with back-to-back birdies for a 34 and a 70.
With the strong windup, Saso salvated a Top 10 finish in the 54-hole, ¥100-million event to find herself five shots off the pace with a 214 total, which included an opening 70 and a 74 in the rain-hit second round. She pocketed ¥1.935 million (P900,000).
Shin pounced on erstwhile leader Saki Asai’s frontside struggle (37) and took charge with a 35 then flashed vintage form to pull away with three birdies in the first seven holes at the back for a 69-209 and a two-stroke victory over compatriot Bae Seon Woo and last year’s champion Ayaka Furue.
It was actually Shin’s only third tournament in the pandemic-shortened Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association season although it was the 25th JLPGA title for the 32-year-old, who had racked up 11 LPGA Tour victories, six titles in the Ladies European Tour and 21 championships back home in a checkered pro career.
Woo carded a 70 on four birdies against two bogeys while Furue, winner of the Tokai Ladies Classic last month, rallied with a scorching 66 for joint second at 211.
Sakura Koiwai finished tied for 12th after a 71 for 215, but in the process remained on top of the Player of the Year race after nine tournaments with 863.86 points with Saso still in second with 808.85 points.
Saso, however, kept the money rankings lead with a total of Y68,115,250 with Koiwai in second with ¥56,456,142 and Ayaka Watanabe at third with ¥54,615,500.
Over in Florida, Dottie Ardina struggled with a 76 and finished tied for 54th with a 227 in the Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship of the Symetra Tour won by Finnish Matilda Castren (71-207) in wire-to-wire fashion Saturday.