AJGA Alumna Yuka Saso wins U.S. Women's Open

On June 6, AJGA alum Yuka Saso of Manila, Philippines, won the 76th U.S. Women's Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California. At just 19 years old, Saso joins fellow AJGA alum Inbee Park of Seoul, South Korea, as the youngest winner at the U.S. Women’s Open.

Saso started the final round of play one-stroke behind AJGA alum Lexi Thompson of Coral Springs, Florida. However, a final round 4-over-par 75 from Thompson caused her to miss out on the playoff between Saso and Nasa Hataoka, who both finished with a tournament total 4-under-par 280.

Saso and Hataoka would both make back-to-back pars during the the two-hole aggregate playoff. On the first sudden-death playoff hole, and third total playoff hole, Saso made a birdie on the par 4 No. 9 to become the first player from the Philippines to win the U.S. Women's Open.

Saso had a very successful junior golf career. Just two years ago in 2019, she was named a First Team Rolex Junior All-American. Her sole AJGA tournament win came at the 2018 Thunderbird International Junior. Additionally, Saso never placed outside the top 10 in any AJGA tournament she competed in and was runner-up at the 2018 Rolex Tournament of Champions.

Current AJGA member Megha Ganne of Holmdel, New Jersey, captured low-amateur honors at the U.S. Women's Open. The Stanford University verbal commit shot a tournament total 3-over-par 287, which included an opening round 4-under-par 67. At just 17 years old, Ganne played the in the final group on Sunday, but a final round 6-over-par 77 caused her to fall out of contention for the title. Ganne currently sits at No. 3 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.

From the field of 156 players at the 76th U.S. Women's Open:
- 96 AJGA alums
- 5 current AJGA members