FIL-JAPANESE Yuka Saso finished joint 17th in the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s (LPGA) first major of the season while Dottie Ardina fumbled in her title bid in the Epson Tour on Sunday.
Ms. Saso closed out with an even 72 to tally five-under 283 in the Chevron Championship in Rancho Mirage, California.
The 20-year-old Ms. Saso missed a Top 10 finish by three shots but netted $57,388 (around P2.95 million) for her final standing.
Ms. Saso started her round at the Mission Hills Country Club with a birdie on No. 2 but dropped a shot on Nos. 4 and 6 to reach the turn at one-over. She bounced back with a birdie-bogey-birdie stint at the back to match par.
American Jennifer Kupcho captured the title with a winning 14-under 274 after a final-round 74. Kupcho scored a two-stroke triumph against Jessica Korda (276 after a closing 69) to bank $750,000.
Ardina didn’t get the perfect ending she sought over at the Casino del Sol Classic in Tucson, Arizona.
Down by only one and running second after three rounds, Ardina faltered in the windup and limped with a four-under 76 to plummet in the final standings.
The former amateur standout ended up tied for 17th with her 10-under 278 aggregate in the tournament ruled by Amanda Lee, who beat Lucy Li in the third playoff hole.
Ardina earned $2,717 (P139,000).
Compatriot Clariss Guce placed three spots ahead of Ardina with her closing 69 and 11-under 277. Guce won $3,146 (P161,000). — Olmin Leyba