Yuka Saso hoists the US Open trophy after winning in a sudden death playoff over Nasa Hataoka following the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament at The Olympic Club. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is pushing for the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Achievement to Filipino-Japanese golfer Yuka Saso who bagged a historic win at the 76th U.S. Women’s Open Championship.
In filing House Resolution No. 1879, Velasco said Saso’s “perseverance as she climbed her way to become one of the youngest and formidable lady golfers, has brought great pride and honor to our country.”
Velasco authored the measure with Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano, and House Committee on Youth and Sports Development chairman Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III.
Velasco said Saso’s historic win at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open highlighted the Philippines in the international golf sports scene and bolstered the country’s bod for a first ever Olympic Games gold medal.
“This sends the strongest message that the Philippines is ready to bring home the top award for women’s golf at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics,” Velasco said.
Velasco said the lower chamber is expected to take up the measure as soon as the third regular session begins next month.
Born to a Filipino mother and a Japanese father, Saso got acquainted with golf at a young age as she relocated to Japan after staying in Bulacan in her early years.
From there, Saso started competing in amateur contests, the highlight of which was her representing the country in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, where she captured two gold medals.
She then turned pro in 2019 and in 2020 won her first tournament in the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association.