U.S. Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso headlines LPGA’s TOTO Japan Classic

Yuka Saso returns to her father’s home country this week, hoping to capture her third career LPGA title.

The LPGA continues its Asian Swing this week with the TOTO Japan Classic, the last event before the tour returns to the United States.

Yuka Saso, the 23-year-old who conquered Lancaster Country Club and won this year’s U.S. Women’s Open for a second time, headlines the field this week. She is currently the 16th-ranked player in the world, although she only has one top-10 finish since her triumph in Central Pennsylvania. Yet, Saso is trending in the right direction after her T-18 in Malaysia last week. She also feels right at home at the Seta Golf Course, located just outside the beautiful city of Kyoto.

“It’s always been a favorite stop, I think, for all of us,” Saso said Wednesday.

“Have good food, and I think not-so-good weather this week, but, yeah, I think it’s great to be back. Thankful of the Japanese fans and enjoy the crowds.”

Another Japanese standout, Ayaka Furue, who has had a marvelous season, arrives in Japan as one of the other fan favorites. She won her first major title at the Amundi Evian Championship in France in July and has not missed a cut since then. Furue also has 10 top-10 finishes this season—one more than World No. 1 Nelly Korda has, and she has six wins. Only Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul have more top-10s than Furue this season.

“My game has been very consistent, so I’m just trying to keep what I’m doing, and I’m hoping I can get a good result,” Furue said.

“This area is where I’m from, so I’m looking forward to playing. Also, this is one of the only tournaments here on LPGA, so I’m happy to be here.”

Other notables in the field this week include Canadian Brooke Henderson, South Korean Jin Young Ko, and Swede Linn Grant. First-round coverage begins on Golf Channel at 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday evening in the United States.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.