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Japan rejoices at teenage golfer Yuka Saso's US Women's Open win

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Kyodo News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/sports/06/07/20210606-yuka-saso.jpg"/><figcaption>Yuka Saso hoists the US Open trophy after winning in a sudden death playoff following the final round of the US Women&#x27;s Open golf tournament at The Olympic Club. <em>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Teenage golfer Yuka Saso&#x27;s triumph at the US Women&#x27;s Open was met with jubilation from her Japanese supporters Monday, with her father crying tears of joy as he watched her hoist the trophy.</p><p>&quot;I didn&#x27;t think she would win it this quickly. I&#x27;m so happy,&quot; Masakazu Saso said as he looked on at San Francisco&#x27;s Olympic Club after her victory.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/07/21/us-womens-open-golf-yuka-saso-final-round">History! Yuka Saso of the Philippines crowned US Women’s Open golf champion</a></li></ul><p>Born to a Filipino mother and Japanese father, Saso became only the third woman with Japanese citizenship to win a major title and tied the record for the youngest champion at the tournament at 19 years, 11 months, 17 days.</p><p>Saso holds dual Filipino and Japanese citizenship and represents the former on tour and in international competitions.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/07/21/golf-yuka-saso-on-support-from-filipinos">&#x27;They gave me so much energy&#x27;: Yuka Saso grateful for support from Pinoys</a></li></ul><p>Masakazu said his confidence faltered when his daughter carded two double bogeys early in her final round, but his worry was proven unfounded when his daughter managed two par-5 birdies on the 16th and 17th holes to move into a playoff with Japanese player Nasa Hataoka.</p><p>&quot;After the double bogeys on the second and third holes, I thought she was done for. She was lucky.&quot;</p><p>Asked how he plans to celebrate the victory with his daughter, Masakazu replied, &quot;She&#x27;s not the type to ask for things. That cup is what she wanted most.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/07/21/golf-rory-mcilroy-congratulates-yuka-saso">Golf: Rory McIlroy congratulates Yuka Saso after historic win</a></li></ul><p>In Ichikawa in western Japan&#x27;s Hyogo Prefecture, employees at Miuragiken Co., which manufactures the heads of Saso&#x27;s irons, were ecstatic at her victory.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s been less than a year since we met. I&#x27;m very surprised and overjoyed she has accomplished such a great feat,&quot; said Jiro Teramura, an executive at the small company.</p><p>At the Fuso Country Club in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, about an hour and a half by car from central Tokyo, where Saso enrolled as a junior member in 2016, deputy manager Tatsuya Karibe said her physical strength is a boon when competing abroad.</p><p>&quot;Her physique is her strong point. She&#x27;s a long hitter, which allows her to be competitive in the US Women&#x27;s Open.&quot;</p><p>The government&#x27;s top spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, also offered his congratulations, saying the playoff holes were &quot;a fierce battle&quot; but that Saso&#x27;s perseverance led to her win.</p><p>Also praising Hataoka, Kato said he looks forward to the 22-year-old&#x27;s future performances.</p><p>Hiroaki Owa, who heads Ibaraki&#x27;s athlete development program for golf and has worked closely with Hataoka, said she can hold her head high in defeat.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s very rare to have a playoff (on the US tour) between two Japanese. Hataoka may be dejected but this is good experience for the next time.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/07/21/inspiring-fellow-pinoy-athletes-celebrate-yuka-sasos-triumph">&#x27;Inspiring&#x27;: Fellow Pinoy athletes celebrate Yuka Saso&#x27;s triumph</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1701264" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Yuka Saso holds dual Filipino and Japanese citizenship and represents the former on tour and in international competitions.</p>

Yuka Saso holds dual Filipino and Japanese citizenship and represents the former on tour and in international competitions.