Yuka Saso of the Philippines triumphed in the 76th US Women’s Open Championship held on June 6, 2021, at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California.
The Filipino-Japanese teenager bested Nasa Hataoka of Japan in a sudden-death playoff and won her first major title.
Saso also took home three other achievements with her win. She is the youngest champion to win the tournament, tied with South Korea’s Park Inbee, who was 19 years, 11 months, and 7 days at the time she won in 2008. She is also the first Filipino player and third woman with Japanese citizenship to ever win the majors.
“I was just looking at all the great players in here and I can’t believe my name’s gonna be here,” according to Saso.
Saso also received encouragement on social media from athletes such as Rory McIlroy. Earlier in the tournament, Saso revealed that she has been trying to emulate the swing of four-time men’s champion. According to PGA Tour, McIlroy is Saso’s hero, and she grew up watching his swing every single day.
“Rory mentioned me on Instagram and said, ‘Get that trophy,’ and I did, so thank you, Rory,” she said in an interview with a laugh.
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