Yuka听Saso听set to choose Japanese citizenship听
Golfer Yuka听Saso听is going to be a Japanese citizen when the time comes she has to make a choice.听
The 20-year-old Filipino-Japanese made the disclosure to a Japanese news portal on Wednesday, on the eve of the Toto Japan Classic where she is set to compete.听
鈥淚 chose Japan because of its nationality law,鈥 said Ms.听Saso, who was born in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, to a Filipino mother and Japanese father.听
Under Japanese law, citizens who hold dual passports must decide by the age of 22 which citizenship to take up.听
Ms.听Saso, who is currently the world number six player, turns 22 on June 20, 2023.听
The golfer previously made it known that choosing between the Philippines and Japan would not be an easy decision to make but that regardless she is proud of her roots on both sides.听
鈥淚 have in my heart that I am both Japanese and Filipino no matter which one I choose,鈥 she said.听
Ms.听Saso听has represented the Philippines in many international competitions since her junior鈥playing days.听
She was one of the country鈥檚 representatives in the sport in this year鈥檚 Tokyo Olympic Games, where she finished tied for ninth.听
While the decision is yet to be made final, Ms.听Saso听will continue to represent the Philippines in various tournaments, including the Toto Japan Classic.听
The $2-million tournament marks the return of Ms.听Saso听after being out of action for three weeks.听
She last played in early October at the Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey where she finished joint fourth place.听
It will kick off what is a busy November for her on the LPGA Tour, where she will also compete at the Pelican Women鈥檚 Championship on Nov. 11-14 and the CME Group Tour Championship on Nov. 18-21, both happening in Florida.听
In the Toto Classic, which will run from Nov. 4 to 7, Ms.听Saso听will tee off with Japanese Hinako听Shibuno听and veteran听Momoko听Ueda in the first two rounds at the Seta Golf鈥檚 North course.鈥鈥 Michael Angelo S. Murillo听
