Yuka Saso is now a two-time US Women's Open winner, representing both the Philippines and Japan.
Yuka Saso is US Women’s Open champion once again, this time under Japan’s banner.
Saso shot 2-under-68 to take the title at the Lancaster Country Club, becoming the first Japan player to win the championship.
Yuka won her first US Women’s Open in 2021, becoming the first Philippine player to do so.
“Winning in 2021 representing the Philippines, I feel like I was able to give back to my mom,” Saso said in an emotional trophy presentation.
“This year, I was able to represent Japan and I was able to give back to my dad. It’s a wonderful feeling that I was able to give back to my parents in a same way,” she added.
In 2021, Saso chose to go with her Japanese nationality. Under Japanese national law, dual citizens are required to select their national by age of 22. Yuka was born to a Japanese father and a Filipina mother.
Representing the Philippines, Saso competed in the Olympics in Tokyo. She also won gold medals in the 2018 Asian Games, one in the individual category and another in the women’s team event.