Two-time US Women's Open champion Yuka Saso has returned to the Philippines, bringing with her not just trophies but invaluable lessons for the next generation of golfers. During a special clinic in Laguna, the Filipino-Japanese star debunked the idea of a secret to success, pointing instead to timeless virtues.
The Core Principles: No Shortcuts, Just Hard Work
Addressing participants at the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Clinic with Yuka Saso in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Saso was candid about what it takes to reach the top. "There's really no shortcut," she stated in a news release the following day, December 17. Her success, she explained, is built on a daily commitment to practice and conscious decisions about one's identity on the course.
While enjoying the holidays with her family in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Saso made time to connect with both professional peers and young talents from the Junior PGT and the ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour. She stressed that accumulating experience is non-negotiable. "Spending more time on the golf course is very important. The more time you spend, the more experience you gain -- and golf requires a lot of experience for us to grow," advised the champion, who claimed the US Women's Open title in both 2021 and 2024.
Mastering the Basics and the Mind Game
For players at any level, Saso's advice is to never neglect the fundamentals. She revealed that even she constantly revisits the basics to maintain her elite performance. "It's the classic advice: check your aim, check your ball position. It sounds simple, but it's very important. I still do it," she shared. This focus on repetition, she noted, builds the consistency needed to hit better shots.
Perhaps one of her most powerful insights was on handling the psychological demands of competition. Saso consciously reframes the common feeling of pressure. "I try not to use the word 'pressure'. Instead of saying I'm pressured or nervous, I think of it as a challenge," she explained. This mental shift, from feeling diminished by pressure to feeling motivated by a challenge, is a cornerstone of her positive approach.
The Long Game: Consistency and Patience
Saso identified consistency as the central pillar of lasting success in golf. "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. Sticking to what you trust matters," she emphasized. This discipline ensures steady progress regardless of short-term results.
Finally, she highlighted patience as the defining trait of successful golfers. She urged young players to accept the journey's demands early on. "Be patient. 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," Saso said. Her closing message was one of self-reliance: embrace the necessary sacrifice and, above all, "trust yourself more than anyone else."
