WITH the Harton S. Temple trophy in tow, newly-crowned US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso finally got to meet her role model, four-time major winner Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, yesterday in San Diego (Tuesday in the US).
The meeting and the location — the Torrey Pines Golf Course, site of the 121st US Open teeing off today (Thursday in the US) — proved to be a memorable occasion for the star-struck Saso and the accommodating McIlroy.
Their encounter was reported by the Golf Digest and Golf Channel in separate pieces written by Todd Leonard and Brently Romine, respectively, and posted on both American golf websites yesterday.
As a guest of the US Golf Association, which organizes the US Open, Saso said she felt anxious in meeting her idol, whose swing she had mimicked while watching the 2011 US Open winner on YouTube.
“I didn’t know how to say hi,” Romine quoted the diminutive Filipino-Japanese golfer as saying.
When asked which was more tense, watching her US Open title-clinching birdie putt two weeks ago or facing McIlroy, Saso, without batting an eyelash, said: “Meeting Rory.”
Whatever anxiety she had was washed away once the two champions got the chance to chat while McIlroy was going through his practice round.
“There was a bit of staging that took place as Saso caught up to McIlroy on the South’s seventh hole, but the reaction was endearing and genuine,” Leonard wrote. “McIlroy greeted Saso with smiles and hugs, and she joined him inside the ropes over the next three holes.”
“But he (McIlroy) was so nice. He was so kind. He was so open. When I asked him a question, he was so honest,” Saso enthused. “I hope I can ask him (for) more advice.
“He’s a really good person He’s had his ups and down, but whatever happens, he looks forward. He’s a very honest guy.”
She said that she would not share the conversation they had in the short time they had on the course together.
“I can’t share it with you guys,” she said. “I want to keep it with me. It’s like a dream. It was much better than I was thinking. It is the greatest moment of my life.”
But she sheepishly took back her spur-of-the-moment statement, saying that meeting McIlroy and clinching the US Women’s Open title was “fifty-fifty” by her reckoning.
Although already on cloud nine following her meeting with McIlroy, Saso’s bright day was from over.
She traded fist-bumps with American legend Phil Mickelson, who became the oldest player to win a major by clinching the PGA Championship at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort Ocean course in South Carolina late last month.
“I saw Phil activating his calves,” Saso gushed.
From being a plain fan, the Filipino-Japanese pro is set to put her game face back on when she sees action in the KPMG Championship on June 27-30 at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia.
