Yuka Saso
Yuka Saso (笹生 優花[2], Sasō Yūka) is a Filipino professional golfer who won the first ever gold medal for the Philippines in both women's individual and women's team event in Asian Games golf competitions. Saso was born on 20 June 2001, to a Filipina mother and a Japanese father, hence her Japanese name, started training the sport of golf at the age of eight in 2009. She admired Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy as a role model and watched video clips of him as a teenager, modeling her game after his style.
Saso turned professional in November 2019 after earning a LPGA of Japan Tour card for 2020. In late June 2020, she made her debut at the Earth Mondahmin Cup in Chiba where she placed fifth.
Saso earned her first victory at the 2020 NEC Karuizawa 72. She then won the next event, the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament.[ On 6 June 2021, she won the 2021 U.S. Women's Open in a playoff against Nasa Hataoka, her first major title, becoming the first Filipino to win the tournament. Saso, at age 19 years, 11 months, 17 days, matched Inbee Park (2008 U.S. Women's Open champion) as the youngest golfer to win the tournament.