In the world of professional golf, an albatross is a rare feat, even rarer than a hole-in-one. But at the LPGA Drive On Championship held at Superstition Mountain Golf Club in Gold Canyon, Arizona, two albatrosses have been celebrated this week.
Yuka Saso, the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open winner, scored her first-ever albatross during the second round of the tournament on Friday. She hit her hybrid from 217 yards, and her ball dropped into the cup on the par-5 second, leaving her groupmates and fans cheering her on.
Saso’s albatross, the first on tour since Lindsey Weaver’s in the 2020 Shoprite LPGA Classic, helped her shoot a six-under-par 66, moving her to eight under and T-15 heading into the weekend of the Drive On Championship. The 21-year-old is aiming for her third top-10 of the season.
Despite achieving a significant milestone in her golfing career, Saso remained humble, saying, “It was one of my dreams to get one, but we all know how hard it is to get one. They say you’re lucky if you ever get one in your golf career. I guess I was very lucky to have it.”
Saso’s albatross adds to the excitement of the tournament, which has already seen PGA of America pro Roy Smith score his own albatross during the pro-am on Wednesday.
