Saso hits P30 million mark in earnings

MANILA, Philippines — Yuka Saso is encountering a performance dip since scoring back-to-back victories in the NEC Karuizawa and Nitori Ladies last August, her joint eighth place finish in the Descente Tokai Classic her best in the last four tournaments.

Since emerging No. 1 in the Player of the Year derby, the 19-year-old Saso has expressed her desire to maintain her top ranking. But after completing her two-title romp in Hokkaido, her game went on a downswing, limping to joint 29th in Golf5 Ladies, and winding up tied for 13th in the circuit’s first major – JLPGA Championship Minolta Cup – in Okayama before rallying to tie for eighth in Tokai Classic.

But though she dropped to No. 2 in the Mercedes rankings, the ICTSI-backed ace kept her hold of the top spot in the money race, hiking her earnings to a whopping Y65,190,250 (roughly P30 million), easily the fastest Pinay golfer or athlete of her age to rake in such huge winnings in just seven tournaments.