Yuka Saso to honor Japanese citizenship soon--reports

Yuka Saso might be representing Japan beginning 2023.
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--By 2023, Philippine golf's current wunderkind could be jumping ships.

Reigning US Women's Open champion Yuka Saso is set to honor her Japanese citizenship by the said year.

This could mean that come 2023, when she celebrates her 22nd birthday, she would be representing Japan in upcoming golf events.

Multiple reports from Japan said that Saso, who has been representing the Philippines since her junior days, has chosen to represent Japan for her stints in 2023 and beyond.

She reportedly made the statement ahead of the Toto Japan Classic, which will begin on Thursday.

Japanese law states that dual citizen holders must choose which nationality they would want to be when they turn 22.

The native of San Ildefonso, Bulacan was born to a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, making her eligible to choose between Japanese and Filipino citizenship.

Saso's rise to greatness began in 2018 when she won two gold medals in the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.

This year, however, saw her biggest break when she ruled the US Women's Open, which helped her gain an outright spot to the Tokyo Olympics.

The Toto Japan Classic is the world number six's first Japan LPGA event since the Olympics.

The reported switching of allegiance, however, could mean the Philippines would be losing its current golf superstar.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno