Yuka Saso found herself at the bitter end of the lever as she dropped shots en route to a 3-over after the third round of the 2021 AIG Women’s Open at the Carnoustie Links in Scotland, Saturday.
The 20-year-old standout saw her lofty position inside the top five dwindle after suffering a hard time in the conditions in the afternoon. After starting strong with a 68 in the opening round, Saso was in a bit of a slide following a 1-under 71 just the previous day.
Hole no. 2 remained Saso’s foe as she once more needed an extra shot to tackle the said hole, just as what happened in the opening round.
Unlike in the first round, however, the world number 8 could not register some gained shots, and instead settled for pars along the way in the front nine to end at 1-over for this side for the first time in the competition.
Saso then missed an opportunity at the start of the back nine, carving a bogey in No. 10. This mishap was then followed with another bogey of No. 12 — the same score she had the previous round.
With so much to play for, the 2018 Asian Games double gold medalist finally registered a gained shot she truly deserved, as she took a birdie two holes after.
Ann Nordqvist scorched hot despite the heavy showers and registered a blistering 7-under 65 for the day to gain a share of the lead at 9-under overall. Fellow Scandinavian in Nanna Koertz Madsen is also at the top after an eagle on No. 12.
Saso will try to close out her first campaign in the links courses of Scotland as she tees off at 12:10 p.m. (7:10 p.m., Manila time).
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