Saso to go all out in Japan Tour debut

MANILA, Philippines — While most golfers would set specific targets for each campaign, Yuka Saso would tone down expectations, not because of lack of motivation but more so of easing up the intrinsic value of competition.

“Honestly, no expectations. Sometimes they (expectations) don’t work for me quite well,” said the young but multi-titled Fil-Japanese, whose credentials included a gold medal in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and quite a number of amateur feats in local and foreign turfs.

What she does to reach competitive level is practice diligently and plays with a lot of heart in each campaign.

“Practicing frequently and putting all your heart on it produce outcomes,” she stressed.

That will be her mindset as she sets out for the LPGA of Japan Tour in two weeks time in Chiba, armed with a game honed up by a series of top-notch competitions and a dogged determination rarely seen in a young campaigner ready to slug it out with the best and the brightest in the region.

It will actually be Saso’s third tournament as a pro after playing as an invitee in two events in Australia early in the season, missing the cut at Handa Vic Open and finishing tied for 25th in Women’s Australian Open.

But hopes are high for the two-time Philippine Ladies Open titlist in the $2.1 million Earth Mondahmin Cup, which gets going June 25 at the tight par-72 Camellia Hills Country Club, the first event in the LPGA of Japan Tour after the long hiatus from the coronavirus outbreak.

“I haven’t been there on the course but for sure it’s a tough layout to play in,” said Saso, who also rallied in the final round and snatched third place in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur last year. “But I thought of doing the best I can.”