MARKING her return to the Japanese LPGA tour after a five-month absence, US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso shot a 71 yesterday and was in a crowded nine-way tie for 24th spot at the start of the 49th TOTO Golf Classic at the Seta Golf North Course in Otsu city, Japan.
Saso started strong with three birdies against one bogey on the frontnine for a 2-under 33 but slipped with bogeys on hole Nos. 14 and 16 to finish 1-under at the par-72, 6,616-yard course.
Saso stood six shots behind Japanese pacesetter Sakura Koiwai, who sparkled with a 65 spiked by eight birdies against a single bogey. The 72-hole tournament offers a total pot of 220 million yen (around P97.5 million) and a championship purse of 33 million yen (P14.6 million).
It was the first Japanese LPGA event for the outstanding golfer since finishing in an 11-way deadlock for ninth place in the Chukyo Bridgestone TV Ladies Open last May.
