Saso inspires next generation of Filipino golfers

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Back home for the holidays, two-time U.S. Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso never forgets where her journey began. Each visit to the Philippines is an opportunity for reflection — and, more importantly, a chance to give back by sharing her experience with young golfers who dream of one day competing on the world stage.

Widely regarded as the most successful Philippine-born golfer in history, Saso insists there is no secret formula behind her rise to the top. Instead, she emphasizes patience, discipline and hard work — values she believes are essential in shaping not just champions, but resilient competitors.

“There’s really no shortcut,” Saso said as she shared her insights and technical knowledge during the “ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Clinic with Yuka Saso” at The Country Club on Tuesday. “It’s about choosing to practice every day and making the right decisions about who you want to be on the golf course.”

Giving back has become a tradition for Saso whenever she spends the holidays with her family in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. Beyond reuniting with fellow pros, she makes it a point to spend time with junior golfers competing in the Junior PGT, offering guidance shaped by her own journey from promising amateur to major champion.

“Spending more time on the golf course is very important,” said Saso, who won the U.S. Women’s Open in 2021 and again in 2024. “The more time you spend on the course, the more experience you gain — and golf requires a lot of experience for us to grow.”

When asked what advice she would give to aspiring golfers, including those competing in the ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour, Saso returned to the fundamentals — elements she still checks herself even at the highest level.

“It’s the classic advice: check your aim, check your ball position,” she said. “It sounds simple, but it’s very important. I still do it. Once you become good at repeating the basics, you become more consistent and you start hitting better shots.”

Beyond technique, Saso placed strong emphasis on mental approach — particularly how players deal with pressure, an unavoidable part of competitive golf.

“I try not to use the word ‘pressure,’” she explained. “It’s not nice to hear, and it’s not something I want to tell myself. Instead of saying I’m pressured or nervous, I think of it as a challenge. If we see it as pressure, we tend to become smaller. But if we see it as a challenge, we try to overcome it. We should always choose to be more positive.”

Despite an underwhelming LPGA season, Saso remains eager to return to competition on the world’s premier women’s tour. Despite the struggles, she is not about to overhaul her game.

“I do the same things whether I’m playing good or bad,” she said. “I’m not changing anything.”

Consistency, she stressed, is central to long-term success.

“Being consistent is the key. I don’t try to do anything extra or step outside my routine just because I’m not playing well,” she said. “Sticking to what you trust matters.”

Above all, Saso highlighted patience as the defining trait of successful golfers — and something she hopes young players will embrace early.

“Be patient,” she said. “There is no shortcut to success, and there’s no way to make a golfer’s life easy. You have to sacrifice your time if you want to be good at something. That’s normal. Don’t be afraid of that sacrifice — and trust yourself more than anyone else.”

Through her words and actions, Saso continues to inspire the next generation — proving that greatness is built not only through talent, but through humility, perseverance and a willingness to give back.