Yuka Saso, First Filipino Golfer to Win the U.S. Women’s Open Championship

The Philippines now has a new sports hero, and she is the 19-year-old Yuka Saso, the first Filipino golfer to win the U.S. Women’s Open championship.

On June 07, 2021, CNN’s Sportsdesk interviews Filipino golfer Yuka Saso and shares her journey as she wins the U.S. Women’s Open Championship.

Yuka Saso is a U.S. Women’s Open Champion! 🏆

Saso is the first male or female from the Philippines to win a major championship!🇵🇭👏 pic.twitter.com/FrOLI8azXn

— LPGA (@LPGA) June 6, 2021

In the interview, she was asked what was going through her mind during the match. 

“Unang-una po naisip ko po ang pamilya ko. Laking pasasalamat ko po sa kanila.”

“I’m really, really grateful. To all the fans in the Philippines, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Binigyan niyo po ako ng lakas.”

When asked what her strategy was, Saso humbly shared,

“Hindi ko masyadong iniisip kung sino ang mananalo o matatalo. I just focused on myself and my golf.”

Before the championship, the pressures of the play-offs were complex. It was too intense that Saso admits she experienced a stomach ache after participating in the 18 holes.

Although it was a nerve-racking experience for her, she was able to stay calm thanks to her caddy. 

Have the realities that she made history sank in?

“Sobrang saya ko po sa history na nagawa ko. (But) I think there’s still a long way to go for me. So, I’ll just keep on working.”

Saso made history as the first ever Filipino and among the youngest to win the major championship.

Congratulations, Yuka Saso!

19-year-old Yuka Saso wins the U.S. Women’s Open

She’s the first Filipino to win the major tournament

(via @uswomensopen) pic.twitter.com/M7UgeWANyq

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 7, 2021

Watch the complete interview here.