The LPGA continues its Asian Swing this week with the TOTO Japan Basic, the final occasion earlier than the tour returns to the USA.
Yuka Saso, the 23-year-old who conquered Lancaster Nation Membership and received this 12 months’s U.S. Ladies’s Open for a second time, headlines the sector this week. She is at the moment the Sixteenth-ranked participant on the earth, though she solely has one top-10 end since her triumph in Central Pennsylvania. But, Saso is trending in the proper course after her T-18 in Malaysia final week. She additionally feels proper at residence on the Seta Golf Course, positioned simply outdoors the gorgeous metropolis of Kyoto.
“It’s at all times been a favourite cease, I believe, for all of us,” Saso stated Wednesday.
“Have good meals, and I believe not-so-good climate this week, however, yeah, I believe it’s nice to be again. Grateful of the Japanese followers and benefit from the crowds.”
One other Japanese standout, Ayaka Furue, who has had a fabulous season, arrives in Japan as one of many different fan favorites. She received her first main title on the Amundi Evian Championship in France in July and has not missed a lower since then. Furue additionally has 10 top-10 finishes this season—yet another than World No. 1 Nelly Korda has, and he or she has six wins. Solely Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul have extra top-10s than Furue this season.
“My sport has been very constant, so I’m simply making an attempt to maintain what I’m doing, and I’m hoping I can get a very good consequence,” Furue stated.
“This space is the place I’m from, so I’m trying ahead to taking part in. Additionally, this is likely one of the solely tournaments right here on LPGA, so I’m comfortable to be right here.”
Different notables within the discipline this week embrace Canadian Brooke Henderson, South Korean Jin Younger Ko, and Swede Linn Grant. First-round protection begins on Golf Channel at 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday night in the USA.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. Be sure you try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.