Yuka Saso is in Scotland for the first time in her career, and her life. Her favorite part? Surprisingly, the weather. “It's summer but we're wearing jackets. I like it,” said the Filipino. Saso seems to be warming up to the Home of Golf in her Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open debut, posting a 5-under 67 to currently sit in a tie second with Anne van Dam and Jasmine Suwannapura.
Saso has only played links golf one other time – at the 2018 Women’s Amateur Championship at Hillside Golf Club in Southport, England, where she ultimately lost in the match-play round of 32. Despite a lack of experience at Dumbarnie Links, Saso is excited by the thrill of the challenge. “It's different golf than what I'm used to,” she said. “You don't really use driver, second shot around the tee. But it's really fun and it's a new experience for me. So I'm really enjoying it.”
The 2021 U.S. Women’s champion said she went to “legends” for advice in preparation for this week, including 1997 Open champion Justin Leonard and Women’s Scottish Open defending champion, Stacy Lewis. Saso said she played a practice round this week with Lewis, just as she did during the Marathon LPGA Classic, and the 13-time Tour winner passed along a bit of knowledge to the 20-year-old Tour rookie.
“In America we kind of have to go high and try to stop the ball but here, it's like you have to be more -- you have to have more like rolling low ball and trying to chase the hole. That's the shots that I'm not really used to,” said Saso. “Watching her doing that, I practiced yesterday, this morning, trying to do those stuff, that helped. So yeah, I'm really thankful and hope to play with her more so I can learn from her.”
Saso said she’s gearing up for more aggressive weather in the coming days while continuing to work on keeping her ball-flight low. “I hope to putt like the last nine holes tomorrow and hit some good shots from the tee. I think it's going to be very important,” said Saso. “I think I'll just take it shot-by-shot and try to feel what I have to do, and you know, take it from there.”
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