Saso cruises to 11-shot win in Jakarta Jr World tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Yuka Escalora Saso continued to dish out impressive games, ruling the Jakarta Junior World Championship in big fashion as she ran away with an 11-shot romp with a closing three-under 69 at the Damai Indah Golf Club BSD course in Indonesia late Thursday.

Saving her best for last, Saso came away with five birdies, including three straight from No. 4, to negate her two bogeys for a 34-35 card and a 54-hole haul of even par 216 that included a 73 and a 74.

The newest Team ICTSI member outclassed the Class C field that included Thai Rina Tatematsu, who finished with a 227 after a 73 while Malaysian Allycia Gan also carded a 73 for a 238.

“She was all focused. Despite a seven-shot lead in the first two rounds, Yuka played as if she was threatened and that’s a good mark of a player,” said Team ICTSI coach Bong Lopez, who took in the 12-year-old Fil-Japanese find to his fold last April.

It was Saso’s second straight overseas win as she nipped teammate Mikha Fortuna in the countback to capture the 15-year-old-and-below crown in the Jack Nicklaus Juniors Championship in Mission Hills, China two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Princess Superal hobbled with a 75 and fell to fifth at 147 after two rounds in Class A paced by Thai Preedasuttuit Kanyalak, who had a 142 after a solid four-under 68.

Superal, winner of the Kuala Lumpur and Royal Selangor Amateur Open crowns, wavered at the finish with bogeys on Nos. 15 and 16, enabling Kanyalak to pull away after a solid 32 start and a 68.