EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AFP) — The Philippines’ lost daughter Yuka Saso earned her second top three finish in a major this season after she tied for third behind runaway champion Celine Boutier in the Evian Championship.
Still looking for her first major after renouncing her citizenship in favor of Japan, Saso wound up with 277, seven shots behind Boutier.
Saso, who was second during this year’s Women’s PGA Championship, fired a 70 on the final round to tie with Nasa Hatoka of Japan, Kim A-Lim of South Korea, Gaby Lopez of Mexino and Celine Borge of Norway.
Brooke Henderson of Canada finished solo second after a 70 and a 276 total.
Boutier on Sunday clinched her first major title by winning the Evian Championship by an impressive six shots. She earned $1 million.
The 29-year-old started the last day with a three-shot lead and she finished on 14 under par after a near perfect closing 68.
Brooke Henderson, last year’s winner, was second on eight under after a 70. She pocketed $585,967.
Third placers ran away with $283,278 each.
Boutier is the third French woman to win a major, following in the footsteps of Catherine Lacoste, who won the 1967 US Women’s Open as an amateur, and Patricia Meunier Lebouc, a winner of the Kraft Nabisco Championship in California 20 years ago.
Soaked in champagne, Boutier could not stop smiling.
“This has long been my biggest dream,” she said.
“I have watched this Championship for many years and always dreamed of winning it when I was a teenager.”
“I was nervous going out but stayed focused. The wind made it tricky and the start (three birdies in the first five holes) was unexpected but a real bonus. Today is just unbelievable.”
Boutier comes from outside Paris and was staying in a house near Evian this week with her family, including twin sister, Christie.
“They hardly ever see me play and it made it extra special having them all here,” she continued.
