Saso’s putter turns cold in final round

MANILA, Philippines — Yuka Saso failed to cash in on her magnificent tee-to-green performance as she settled for a closing three-under 67 and placed 14th in the Pelican Women’s Championship Sunday in Belleair, Florida.

With a monstrous 321-yard driving norm and an impeccable iron game, the Fil-Japanese star hit all fairways and greens but struggled big-time on the putting surface. Taking only 25 to 27 putts in the first three days, Saso needed 33 to complete her 34-33 card in the final round, which essentially dampened her bid for a higher finish.

The reigning US Women’s Open champion finished at 11-under 269 for the tournament – two strokes off a Top 10 standing and six adrift eventual winner Nelly Korda.

Saso, who mixed five birdies with two bogeys in the final round, netted $27,253 (P1.3 million).