Yuka Saso is the only Filipino major champion in golf’s history, but now represents Japan on the LPGA Tour.
Saso was born in June 2001 in the Philippines, and began playing golf at the age of 9, watching clips of a certain Northern Irishman and trying to copy his swing. She would turn professional in 2019, a year after winning two Gold Medals at the Asian Games – winning both the Individual and Team competitions.
She would soon win on the LPGA Tour of Japan. Her maiden victory came in 2020, at the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament. Saso would only have to wait seven days before her second win, going back-to-back to also claim the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament.
Her maiden major victory came at the 2021 US Women’s Open – which was also her first LPGA Tour win as well. She lifted the Harton S. Semple Trophy after beating Japan’s Nasa Hataoka in a playoff, one that went to sudden death after the pair were still tied after the two-hole aggregate playoff holes. Three years later, she would again taste victory at the US Women’s Open, this time at Lancaster Country Club. In doing so, she became the youngest player to ever win the tournament twice, and just the third player whose first two wins on the LPGA Tour were both majors.
Yuka Saso | Player Profile
Personal Information
Name: Yuka Saso
Born: June 20, 2001
Nationality: Japan (formerly Philippines)
Residence: Bulacan, Philippines
Career
Turned Pro: 2019
Professional Wins: 4
Highest World Ranking: 5 – October 11, 2021
Best Results In Majors
Best Finishes:
– Chevron Championship – T17 (2022)
– Women’s PGA Championship – 2nd (2023)
– US Women’s Open – WON (2021, 2024)
– Amundi Evian Championship – T3 (2023)
– AIG Women’s Open – T39 (2021)
Professional Wins – 3
2020 (2) – NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament, Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament
2021 (1) – US Women’s Open
2024 (1) – US Women’s Open
Achievements and Awards
Asian Games Individual Gold Medal – 2018
Asian Games Team Gold Medal – 2018
Yuka Saso | What’s In Her Bag?
Saso is a Callaway staffer, playing the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver and the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max fairway wood. She uses the Apex CB and Apex MB irons, along with four Callaway wedges. The Chrome Soft X is her golf ball of choice.
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You can check out our full piece on what’s in Yuka Saso’s bag here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Yuka Saso
When and where was Yuka Saso born?
Yuka Saso was born in Bulacan in the Philippines in June 2001, and began playing the game from a young age.
When did Yuka Saso turn professional?
Yuka Saso turned professional in 2019 at the age of just 18, and played on the LPGA Tour of Japan for her first couple of years.
How many professional titles has Yuka Saso won?
As of May 2024, Yuka Saso is a four-time winner in her professional career, with two of those being major championships. Her first two victories came in 2020 on the LPGA Tour of Japan, and a year later, she won the first of two US Women’s Open crowns. Her second came in 2024.
Did you Know?
USWO & Filipino History
When Saso lifted the Harton S. Semple Trophy in 2021, she was 19 years, 11 months and 17 days old. Incredibly, she matched the record as the youngest winner of the tournament to the day, joining 2008 champion Inbee Park on the 19-11-17 mark.
Not only did she join Park as the record holder for being the youngest winner of the tournament, but Saso also became the first Filipino to win a major championship – male or female.
Changing to Japan
Ahead of the 2022 LPGA Tour season, Saso announced that she would be changing her sporting nationality to Japan. This came after she said she would keep her Japanese nationality via dual-citizenship.
Following Rory
Saso started playing golf at the age of 8. She watched video clips of Rory McIlroy, and tried to model her game and swing on his style.
Other Yuka Saso Articles
Yuka Saso secures second US Women’s Open title in historic fashion
What do you make of the career of Yuka Saso to date? Can the Japanese star go on and win more majors? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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