Golf

She won the U.S. Women’s Open, but what she did next was telling

Yuka Saso confirmed who she was after successful the U.S. Women’s Open.

Jack Hirsh

Hello pals and pleased Championship Sunday from the U.S. Women’s Open! Congratulations to our latest champion, Yuka Saso. I invite you all to take a second and examine your 22-year-old self to the 22-year-old who simply won her second main.

The remaining spherical was filled with drama and pleasure, but I wish to discuss much less about the precise golf and extra about all the type issues Yuka Saso did after successful at Lancaster Country Club immediately.

At the trophy ceremony

After the remaining group completed play, Saso made her manner again to the 18th inexperienced for the trophy ceremony. Just a few tech staffers started pulling at the microphone and speaker wires earlier than the ceremony started, and Saso instantly picked up on it and helped them get the wires out of the manner. While the remainder of the individuals on-site prepped for the U.S. Women’s Open champion to obtain her trophy, the champion herself was serving to others.

Saso received choked up throughout her trophy ceremony when speaking about how a lot her mother and father imply to her. She mentioned she won the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open for her mother, and this one was for her dad. I don’t assume many 22 yr olds have the maturity to replicate on large moments in addition to Saso did right here, but then once more, most 22 yr olds aren’t successful their second U.S. Open, both.

During her press convention

The second Saso stepped into the interview space after the trophy ceremony, she noticed a bottle of water on the interview desk. She checked out USGA moderator Julia Pine and requested if she needed the water. When Pine defined that the water had been positioned there particularly for Saso, the champ as soon as once more supplied it to Pine. “Are you sure you don’t want it?,” she requested. I feel she made certain Pine was all set on water about 5 instances earlier than her post-round interview with the media formally started.

The factor that impressed me most about Saso’s presser was simply how lovingly she talked about the USGA. Sure, you’re going to love the group that runs the main you’ve won twice. But she talked about a handful of USGA staff by title not as soon as, but twice throughout the interview. First when thanking the governing physique, and once more once I requested her who she was going to have a good time the victory with.

Most professionals are well mannered and thank individuals after successful a event, but I’ve by no means seen a participant name out particular people from the media the manner Saso did. You can inform she has gotten to know a handful of individuals from the USGA and actually appreciates them.

Next up we’ve Saso attempting a whoopie pie for the first time. When Saso seen she’d be attempting it in entrance of about 50 individuals, she determined to show round mid-interview to take a chunk. Extremely artistic! She mentioned it was good, but reduce herself off after only one chunk to spare her blood sugar. Later, she talked about that she needed a caesar salad with bacon. A gal after my very own coronary heart!

Meeting some younger followers

Some gamers will return to the followers after their media duties to signal autographs, but Saso took issues to a different degree on Sunday evening. She signed some hats and flags between the seventeenth inexperienced and 18th tee throughout her spherical on Sunday. Can you think about? She’s minutes away from claiming a victory, and as an alternative of staying fully dialed in, she took a second to search for between holes and make just a few younger followers’ days.

By the time Saso completed up with interviews, it was nearly 8 p.m. A handful of younger followers had been shouting her title, and Saso took a couple of minutes to introduce herself and signal autographs.

Saso even signed a child’s solid and informed her to really feel higher as she walked away.

Saso’s golf proved that she’s a worthy two-time main champion, but it was her habits afterwards that I’ll bear in mind most from this week.

claire rogers

Claire Rogers

Golf.com Editor


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