Saso focuses on ball control, putting as Gainbridge LPGA unwraps

MANILA, Philippines – With a forecast of a windy weekend, the Gainbridge LPGA field sets out for a strong start to build some kind of momentum, guaranteeing a fierce, spirited duel right in the first 18 holes of the $2 million event that reels off Thursday in Boca Raton, Florida (Friday, Manila time).

Yuka Saso said she is more than ready to face the test, putting premium on ball control while staying focused on the task at hand coming off a sixth place finish in the Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona last week.

“Boca Rio has a lot of bunkers and it’s quite windy here,” said Saso during a break in practice Tuesday. “I am focusing on keeping the ball on the fairway and greens. It’s going to present a great challenge for everyone here. I am excited to trust the process and have fun.”

From a select 29-player event in the T-of-C, the Gainbridge LPGA field features 120 bidders, including all but two of the world’s top 10, headed by No. 1 and defending Nelly Korda, No. 3 Lydia Ko, No. 4 Inbee Park, No. 6 Minjee Lee, No. 7 Nasa Hataoka, No. 8 Danielle Kang, No. 9 Saso and No. 10 Brooke Henderson.

“I am going to do my best to stay patient with the wind and hope to get some good breaks,” added the ICTSI-backed reigning US Women’s Open champion. “I rely on the same process from week to week and trust that my game is where it needs to be to compete against some really strong competition in a larger field this week.”

Saso kicks off her drive in a rather late start at 12:18 p.m. on No. 10 with Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, a two-time LPGA Tour winner, and Thai Patty Tavatanakit, a fellow major champion who won the ANA Inspiration last year.

“Gaby and Patty are two elite players that I look up to. I am looking forward to learning from them and enjoying my time with them,” said Saso, who also underscored the need to polish her putting to contend for the championship.

She made 29 putts in the first and third rounds at Lake Nona to stay in the mix but struggled with 32 in the second day and closed out with a 33, marred by flubbed putts from short range that stymied her final round charge.

“With the start of the season, my putting does feel a little rusty, but it’s a very important part of the game and I’m hoping to continue working to get back to the feel that I’m looking for,” she said.

Like the rest of the stellar field, Saso, now based in Dallas, is looking forward not only to a great week but to a better season-long campaign as a full-time LPGA player.

“I’m ready for a great week with a full-field event and hope to see a lot of success over the coming days,” said the 20-year-old shotmaker, who secured a five-year exempt status following her major breakthrough.

Meanwhile, Bianca Pagdanganan launches her campaign, also as a full-exempt player following a strong joint 10th place finish in the Q-Series, against Spain’s Beatriz Recari and Thai Jasmine Suwannapura at 12:51 p.m. on the first hole.

But focus will be on Korda, the seven-time winner who will be hard-pressed to defend the crown she won by three over Lexi Thompson last year.

The 23-year-old Olympic gold medalist actually led in the third of the T-of-C but hobbled with poor iron shots and putting and wound up joint fourth with Celine Boutier of France.

Like Saso, the world No. 1 expects to do better this week armed with a long game that she feels suits best for a course like Boca Rio.

“I think there is an advantage to hitting it longer out here, but I think the greens are a little bit slower and they’re trying to keep them slower because the wind forecast is supposed to be really high Friday afternoon and Saturday,” said Korda, who drew Ko and Thompson in the 12:29 p.m. group, also at the backside.

“But I do see a big advantage to hitting it longer. All depends on the wind and the forecast we’re going to have,” added Korda.

Kang, meanwhile, hopes to ride the momentum of her three-stroke triumph over Henderson last week as she takes on the Canadian and Thai Ariya Jutanugarn at 8:05 a.m. on No. 1 while rising Thai star Atthaya Thitikul expects to stir up play early as she slugs it out with Japanese Ayaka Furue and American Brittany Altomare at 7:43 a.m., also on the first hole.