Talking Golf with Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan

2021 US Women's Open Champion Yuka Saso and fellow LPGA professional, Bianca Pagdanganan join us to discuss their year in golf, the experience of winning the US Women's Open, and representing their home country of the Philippines at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, and meeting the PGA players at the Olympics - including Rory McIlroy.   They also take some time to share their thoughts with us on how golf is growing in the Philippines and some of the things that could help grow the sport even more.

Yuka Saso takes us through her final round at the Olympic Club as she struggled to overcome a rough start before eventually finishing strong with birdies on the par 5 - 16th and 17th holes to finish in a tie with Nasa Hataoka.  After 3 - Playoff holes, Yuka Saso emerged victorious and the Philippines had its first ever major golf champion.   In a lighter moment, Yuka shares with us what was going through her mind as she was finishing the 72nd hole with a birdie putt to win.

Bianca shares her experiences on her year, discussing some of the high points and some of the challenges that she experienced.  She also shares with us what her strategy will be as she prepares to attend the Q-Series at the end of the Season.  

You won't want to miss this episode as the two players show a much more relaxed side of themselves now that they are off the course.  

Episode Transcript

Douglas Maida (00:32):
Hello, and good afternoon. Welcome to our
podcast show. We're talkinggolf. Our show is produced by
the World Of Golf. And I'm yourhost Douglas Maida. Today's show
is another in our series lookingat Women's Professional Golf
from around the world. In thisseries, we select a country that
is often considered a nontraditional golf market. We

(00:53):
speak to professional playersand aspiring professionals about
how the sport of golf ischanging in their home countries
and their path to becoming aprofessional player.
Now in case you're wondering, weuse the term non traditional
golf markets to mean the nationsthat are outside of the
predominant English speakingcountries of the United States,
Canada, the United Kingdom,Ireland, Australia, and New

(01:17):
Zealand. These are the countriesthat have a longer history with
the sport. Now we recognize thatthe descriptor is growing a bit
outdated as golf continuesgrowing throughout the world,
both as a competitive sport andrecreational activity. Our focus
in this episode is on thePhilippines. And our guests are
Yuka Saso, winner of the 2021 USWomen's Open and Bianca

(01:42):
Pagdanganan -- a professionalplayer on the LPGA. Now before
we get to them, we'll take ashort break for a message from
our producers.

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follow in 2021. Now, back to ourshow. Here is your host, Douglas
Maida.

Douglas Maida (02:49):
We're back thank you for staying with us. Now
without further delay, let's getto our guests. Bianca
Pagdanganan is a player on theLPGA Tour. She joined the LPGA
in 2020 and this is still herrookie season. Her best finishes
on tour include a solo thirdplace at the 2020 LPGA drive on

(03:09):
event held at Lake Reynolds,Georgia. She also had a tee nine
that the 2020 KPMG women's PGAChampionship this season. Some
of her best finishes include atie for 27th at the Shoprite
classic that was held two weeksago, and a tie for 12th at the

(03:30):
DOW Great Lakes team event.
Bianca is currently 175th in theRolex world rankings and 124th
in the LPGA's Race to the CMEGlobe. Bianca has also turned
heads on tour with her lengthoff the tee as she has finished
either number one or number twoin driving distance. Prior to
joining the LPGA Bianca attendedGonzaga University in Spokane,

(03:52):
Washington, before transferringto the University of Arizona,
where she and the team won the2018 National Championship. We'd
like to give a big welcome backto Bianca.

Bianca Pagdanganan (04:04):
I know, Thanks for having me.

Douglas Maida (04:09):
Now Yuka Saso is also a rookie professional
player on the LPGA joining thetour this season. Prior to
joining the LPGA you could playit on the Japanese LPGA Tour
where she won twice in back toback events. In addition, Yuka
is the new champion of theUnited States Women's Open that
was hosted earlier this year atthe Olympic club in San

(04:31):
Francisco. She also had a T4finish at the Walmart event in
Arkansas. And she's just comingoff another T4 event this past
week at the Cognizant founderscup. Yuka is currently fifth in
the Rolex world rankings, andshe's now 14th in the CME globe
standings. So a big welcome tothe show Yuka.

Yuka Saso (04:51):
Thank you for having me.

Douglas Maida (04:54):
Well, it's our pleasure, our pleasure. I'd like
to start a little bit aboutShoprite and the Founders Cup.
You can you just came off a T4at the Founders event. Any
thoughts, any reflections onthat event? I mean, it was the
first time it was played at thatcourse. And it's kind of a

(05:15):
special event with as many ofthe Founders in attendance as
possible, but what are yourimpressions and takeaways from
that event?

Yuka Saso (05:23):
Um, yeah, obviously, you know, meeting, um, you know,
a few people from the13-Founders, it was really
great. And, you know, need tothink about how, you know, how
hard they work just to, youknow, make the LPGA. And, you

(05:44):
know, where LBJ came from, and,you know, I felt really thankful
for what they've done. And, youknow, because of them, I had,
you know, a dream of becoming agolfer, and, you know, me being
able to play and, you know, tournow is just amazing.

Douglas Maida (06:03):
And what about your reflection on the play and
your tee for finish? I mean,what did you think of the
course? What did you think ofthe competition at this event?

Yuka Saso (06:11):
Yeah, obviously, the golf course is a beauty. You
know, I think everyone said thatthe golf course is good for
major championships too. It iskind of similar to Olympic Golf
Club that we played in for yearswhen I was open. Yeah, it was
very long, long, rough, biggreens. Yeah, it was very nice

(06:36):
and very challenging.

Douglas Maida (06:38):
Great. And Bianca, let's ask about your
finish at the Shoprite Classic acouple of weeks ago, that was
the last time you competed ontour, did you have any thoughts
and recollections that you'dlike to share?

Bianca Pagdanganan (06:50):
I mean, the courses a different setting, I
feel like it was more of a linkstype something we don't really
play that often out here,especially in the US. But I did
think it was a lot of fun. Itwas kind of a different golf
course when the wind would pickup, but I mean, I wasn't able to
play that event last year. Sothis year was my first time
playing it but I did have a lotof fun. I enjoyed it just

(07:13):
because like there were also somany Filipinos that came out and
you know, supported us and kindof -- It felt nice, you know,
they were kind of telling usthat there was Filipino food
close by and I was kind ofshocked. So kind of took
advantage of that. But yeah,overall it was a really great
experience I enjoyed Shopritewas kind of bummed I didn't get
into Founders because I playedthem one day and I really really

(07:35):
enjoyed the course and like whatyou said, I think it's it has
the potential to become a majorchampionship golf course.

Douglas Maida (07:45):
You mentioned about all the Filipinos and
Filipino food at Shoprite I wasgonna as an aside, I read
somewhere that Jollibee's is isdoing an expansion in North
America was there a Jollibee'sis in that location are they not
quite there yet?

Bianca Pagdanganan (07:59):
I'm not quite there Yes. Yeah, I know
there isn't somewhere up andclose to Jersey City I'm
kidding. I'm not sure but I knowthere's one in New Jersey.

Douglas Maida (08:10):
Okay. Bianca let's continue on we're more or
less a couple events left in theseason. So how would you at this
point in time rate or assessyour season so far? I mean, what
has been the highlight of yourLPGA season and you know, you've
obviously had some goals forthis year how would you look at

(08:33):
that and rate your season sofar?

Bianca Pagdanganan (08:35):
I mean, overall, my season was just a
lot of ups and downs I feel likeI've had good rounds you know,
probably not good enough to getmyself into the position that I
wanted but I guess it's justpart of the whole process. I
mean, you know, I try to lookback at this whole year and
compare it to what I probablydid different last year when I

(08:57):
played much better and I thinkthere was just like a lot of
internal pressure trying to keepup with the same standard of
play that I did last year whichI don't think help you know,
obviously when I look back Ithink and tell myself that you
know, I wish I could have madethe most out of the tournaments
that I got into but like I said,You know, I feel like it is what

(09:18):
it is and I just got to learnfrom what I did try not to put
too much pressure on myself andforce things to happen.
But I mean with highlights Iplayed some good rounds, I'd say
Shoprite was . . . I washonestly surprised with how I
played last week just becauselinks style of golf isn't really

(09:40):
the easiest i would say i meanit was it wasn't like completely
links style course. But or maybeit was, I don't take my word on
that but, yeah, overall, I waskind of surprised that that was
like one of the events or theevent that I played well in
considering the fact that Iwould say that that's not like
one of my strengths, but yeah,looking forward I'm going to try

(10:02):
them on Monday qualify for thePelican (event) in November.
And yeah, I guess just focus onq series, at least, I know more
things now heading intoQ-Series, and I did two years
ago. So yeah, I'm just gonnakeep practicing and try to get
myself in a good position forgood status next year.

Douglas Maida (10:23):
You mentioned about having the experience now
and the benefit of having playeda little bit now on tour.
Pulling by the calendar, this isyour second season on tour. But,
you know, because of COVID, theLPGA has decided to compress
2020 and 2021 into one seasonfor rookies. If you are going to

(10:44):
be playing in the Q-Series, whatdo you think you have learned
that you will apply differentlygoing into it this year?

Bianca Pagdanganan (10:52):
It's a side note. So going into Q-Series,
the first time I went I honestlylike heading into Q-School, I
had no idea what was going on.
Obviously, I knew that I had toplay good golf, but heading into
Q-Series. So they tell you thatthey give you your tour card
once you get into the top 45 andties. And that's like all I
knew. But I didn't know that.
Like, I should have asked morequestions, I guess was on me.

(11:14):
But I didn't know that where youfinish like that set, or that
kind of tells you where you'reat in the priority list. So I
guess like heading into that Ihave a goal as to where I should
be when I finished Q-Series. Butnow that i've you know played a
season on the LPGA Tour, I feellike that's definitely helped my

(11:36):
game, especially in terms oflike how competitive it can get
just seeing like how others playon tour. And I mean, obviously,
I'm going to be seeing like acouple familiar faces on
Q-Series. So obviously justtrying to focus on my game and
trying to make the most out ofeight rounds of golf.

Douglas Maida (11:57):
Yeah, it's gonna be a fairly packed two weeks for
Q-Series, it's fairly intensive.
And unlike playing a tourevents, you don't really have
any time off, you got just theone day in between. So, any
strategies as to how you'regoing to cope with that in terms
of fatigue and getting tired andstaying mentally sharp?

Bianca Pagdanganan (12:19):
It's kind of funny, because the first year I
played it, I remember that Ionly had like, two days in
between second and third stage.
So that was like four weeks ofstraight goal from what I
remember, like I had a day tofly to North Carolina from
Florida. And I was kind of inshock, how things were set up
because you played four or like,there were three days of
practice four days oftournament, and then another

(12:39):
three days to practice the othercourse and another four days.
So it was definitely a lot ofgolf. But I do feel like the
last couple weeks that we'veplayed it, you know, tournaments
are pretty close, like a lot ofa lot of them are back to back,
like flying into. I think Idon't see I don't even remember

(13:01):
what the tournament beforeShoprite, I think, or I don't
know, but, you know, I stillthink that I've experienced
something similar with, youknow, how close the four or the
eight days are going to be, atleast, you know, it wouldn't be
a complete shock to me with howmany days of like extreme,

(13:21):
mentally, physically exhaustingrounds of golf I'll be having
just because I feel like I'vehad that sometime this year. But
of course, like, I definitelyhave some goals, I'm still going
to try to work on trying to bein tip top shape by the time key
series comes. So yeah, we'rejust gonna see how I'll be
working on it for the nextcouple of weeks, but definitely

(13:43):
a lot of golfing and practicingand working on other parts of my
game.

Douglas Maida (13:48):
Well, speaking of that, what parts of your game
are you going to be focusing on?
I mean, I've done a little bitof homework, and I mean your
driving distance, obviously,that's something that you're --
you've made a really good namefor yourself, because everybody
looks to see you being up nearthe top of the stats in terms of
your driving distance. I wasgonna say you're putting average

(14:09):
this year, You're so far is+0.89 strokes higher than 2020.
And that kind of jumped out as abit of an area for you that
maybe was a bit of a challengecompared to last year. Is that
an area that you've been payingparticular attention to? Or are
you approaching the next coupleof weeks in your practice
focusing on that or is theresomething else that you're

(14:31):
thinking about?

Bianca Pagdanganan (14:34):
I mean, obviously party putting is such
an important part of my game. Idid start you know, seeing
someone for putting andobviously like earlier this year
it was a bit of a struggle, butI feel like the last couple
events. I personally felt likemy putting helped me out so much
just like looking at my stats Iwouldn't say like the whole year

(14:56):
but the last couple of weeks butI I personally thought that
there was like a hugeimprovement. And I really felt
good about my putting for somereason that was like the part of
my game for the last coupletournaments that I played that I
felt good about. And it was nicebecause I it, it was something
that I haven't really felt in awhile. So just, you know,

(15:18):
knowing that I have confidencein that part of my game, like
kind of helps me it was like my,you know, self esteem, and just
how I view my own game, butdefinitely, like some things I
really want to work on are like,trying to save pars, like
scrambling. And I mean, I get alot of input from my dad and my
coach, they just tell me what Ineed to work on. And that's what
I try to do. I mean, obviously,you know, distance is like, an

(15:42):
advantage or like a strong partof my game. But if you know, I
like miss Greens or whatsoever,I need to, like work hard, and
just try my best to convertthose into like, par saves. So I
guess that's, you know, aroundthe green short game, or some of
the things I'd be working on.

Douglas Maida (15:59):
Right? And you look at somebody like Inbee
Park. I mean, you've played withher. You seen her out there. I
don't know if you've actuallybeen paired with her. But you
know, she's, yeah, she's notoverly long off the tee. But she
finds her greens, and she putsYeah, and, and it's just
amazing. And, you know, with hergame, she's always, you know,
she's fairly, you know,relatively or consistently in

(16:21):
competition and competing. Soit's a -- yeah, it's a more than
one way to play this game, Iguess. And you made the point
about that.

Bianca Pagdanganan (16:28):
Yeah, she also is that the best putter.
I played her there once lastyear at KPMG. And I was like,
just kind of in shock -- my jawjust like dropped, like she hits
the green. And she makes a putt.
And I'm like, that was easy. Butyeah, it was it was a pretty
cool experience, being pairedwith Inbee. And just seeing how,
like you said, you know, thereare other ways to play the game.

Douglas Maida (16:50):
Right? And if you look at it, I mean, the stats
this year, with the KPMGInsights, statistics coming out
now, even though it hasn't beena full season, there's been
enough rounds played now whereyou can get a bit of an idea of
consistency with regards to thestatistics. And you look at
Inbee and her numbers on puttingit's better than anything on the

(17:10):
men's tour by far. You know, soI think that's a bit of a . . .
How would you say a feather inthe cap of women's golf?
Because, you know for whateverreason, I think it's important
that at least the women arestarting to get some attention
for the skills that come intoit, because you know, too often,
it's too easy to just dismissit. But now that you've got some

(17:32):
statistics starting to back itup. I think a lot of people were
genuinely, genuinely surprisedthat MB was her stop shoulder as
the best putter, period, male orfemale.

Bianca Pagdanganan (17:43):
Yeah, I did read something about that. And I
was really surprised. It's like,she makes more 10 to 15 footers
than the guys on tour who makefive to 10 feet, or something
like that. I don't know if Isaid that correctly. But it was
something like that. It wasreally interesting. That's why
you know, it's fun to watchwomen's golf. You see players

(18:07):
like her and you're just like,dang. Yeah, just plugging it out
there support the LPGA

Douglas Maida (18:15):
Well, you know, some of the best tour action to
watch this year has been on theLPGA, really, to be honest. I
mean, and we're going to talkwith Yuka in a little bit about
that. But that Sunday finalevent in Olympic Club and, and I
saw you on TV, too there Biancafollowing along with the with
the crowd outside the ropes. Soyou were there and we saw you
with your flag and whatnot, orwas a flag to cheering her on.

(18:38):
So

Bianca Pagdanganan (18:39):
I was nervous watching her. I was like
shaking. I was like, I know shecan make it but like, oh my
gosh.

Douglas Maida (18:49):
Yeah. So you know, there's been some really
good exciting golf played on theLPGA Tour this year. And there
is every year, but this year, Ithought was particularly even
more so. A lot of drama. AndI think that's good for golf --
period. I wanted to ask you thisquestion before I switch over to
Yuka, Bianca, we talked alittle bit about your, your

(19:12):
driving distance, would youtrade a little bit of your
distance for better putting.

Bianca Pagdanganan (19:18):
That's a hard thing because like my
distance is a huge advantage.
off the tee -- kind of sucksbecause like sometimes, like I
pay attention to stats, I knowmy caddy does it. Like I woke up
to my ball and I'm like on thefirst cut and I miss the fairway
by an inch and I'm like, that'snot a fairway hit and it sucks.
I look at him like dang anothermissed fairway. And it's not
like it completely hooked theball or like slicing or hitting
the roof. But, um, I don't know,it's kind of a hard question.

(19:42):
Obviously, like I'd want to bebetter in putting but at the
same time, I mean, you know,"drive for show, putt for
dough", but it's hard to give upsomething that has such a huge
impact on my game. like okay,maybe just a little probably
like three yards.

Douglas Maida (19:59):
Just three yards?
Okay, so instead of finishingfirst or second and distance,
you'd be willing to finishfifth, if you could improve the
putting.

Bianca Pagdanganan (20:12):
Maybe a little, I guess, all right, you
know? Or you could just havebetter putting in the distance
if I just work harder.

Douglas Maida (20:21):
Right, right.
Statistically, how was your gamethis year with regards to
proximity to the hole?

Bianca Pagdanganan (20:28):
Proximity to the whole, I see that the same I
can kind of notice starting theyear, I did have like a
different set of clubs. I'm justlike, in disbelief, whatever,
what's what, sir. But, um,that's when I kind of noticed
that, like, there was adifferent effect of my ball just
in terms of the spin rate. And,okay, I don't really get too

(20:48):
technical when I play. That'snot my thing at all feel. But I
did notice that. And with mebeing like an aggressive player,
I feel like that kind ofaffected my games. I feel like I
was missing more greens, becauseit wasn't the same as my last
clubs. I did go back to my oldirons, which I think was a
really good move for me, becauseyou know what they say if it
ain't broke, don't -- don't fixit, if it ain't broke something

(21:09):
like that. But I guess proximityto the hole. That's definitely
something I could work on,especially my wedges, especially
if I had a really good drive.
And I have like, a couple ofyards in and like, I should be
hitting this close, which I dofor the most part. But, again,
something I could work on.

Douglas Maida (21:31):
Right, right.
Yeah. Well, you know, I mean,that's golf, you can always find
something to work on.

Bianca Pagdanganan (21:37):
For sure.
Yeah. Um,

Douglas Maida (21:40):
So let's switch to you. Yuka. Is it safe to say
Yuka that winning the US Women'sOpen has been the highlight of
your LPGA season?

Yuka Saso (21:49):
Yeah, I guess so.
But, um, you know, I think youknow, being a member, of LPGA is
one of them, too. I think it's ahighlight too. And also, you
know, a very special meetingRory (McIlroy), and to talk to
him. I think that's one of thehighlights, too. So a lot of

(22:12):
highlights for me this year.

Douglas Maida (22:17):
Yeah, no kidding.
How much of a surprise was that-- That he messaged you back?
I mean, I remember at the event,you were talking about how
surprised you were that he, hemessaged you back and whatnot,
but I mean, -- do you still feellike you can't believe it
happened?

Yuka Saso (22:32):
Um, actually, you know, before the US Women's Open
started, we were alreadyplanning to go down to San Diego
and watch the US Open before wefly to KPMG. And, you know, I
thought maybe, you know, I canmeet Rory there and, you know,
after two days of my tournament,or three day, or you know,

(22:56):
mentioned me on Instagram, whichis, you know, very special -- it
was very special. And, you know,I felt very lucky. And I was
like, hopefully I can meet himand you know, in Torrey Pines,
and you know, I won. And now Iwas able to walk with him inside
inside the ropes which, youknow, very kind of him and he

(23:21):
gave me a few advice too.

Douglas Maida (23:25):
And some of the advice as you pointed out was
just going to remain between youand Rory.

Yuka Saso (23:29):
Yeah.

Douglas Maida (23:33):
How was it walking? At the men's event? Did
you notice anything reallydifferent between the events?
Well, obviously you're notplaying so you're not in that
competitive frame of mind, butlike that, was it? You know, it
must have been fun?

Yuka Saso (23:48):
The guys are big.
Like they're huge. They're tall.
I went to driver engines. Seethe guys hits? I watched Phil
Mickelson. Jon Rahm, HenrikStenson they're just you know,
smashing it -- it's sodifferent from you know, women's
tour, but it's amazing to seethat. Their golf is a little

(24:13):
bit different from ours. Soyeah, I've learned a lot too.

Douglas Maida (24:18):
When you were walking the course with Rory,
Did you, being the competitiveplayer that you are, did you
start thinking about where youwould hit your shots and and how
to approach greens too? Asyou're walking or were you just.
. .

Yuka Saso (24:30):
I actually actually talked to Rory's caddie Harry
and I asked you know, Rory'sstock yardages and you know he
hits it pretty long so you knowme if I had like 150 years you
know 140 to the fog I'll behaving nine radar and then Rory

(24:52):
would have what? So, you know,it's, like I said, it's really a
different golf to us. But youknow the thing you know to have
if you can hit it long, likeBianca does and it makes golf
much easier. I Agree, itdoesn't mean that you hit it

(25:14):
long, you're gonna make scorebut you know hit it long drive
and having you know a short clubin your hand going to the green,
you know higher chance ofgetting it to the . . . getting
it close to the hole so yeahlike those kind of those kind of
stuff you know makes me realizethat you know having a distance

(25:36):
is very important.

Douglas Maida (25:38):
Right. Well that kind of brings us to the US
Women's Open the Sunday on thelast day it looked like you were
a little bit had a little bit ofnerves off the first few holes
there just being in the groupwith Lexi and whatnot and kind
of getting off to a good startand wanting to play well and
whatnot. And it was kind of likeyou're in between there I mean,

(26:01):
this is my take on it was thatyou seem to your drives a little
bit not quite on the fairwayyou're a little bit, putting
yourself in some difficultpositions for making your second
shots and whatnot. But I'lltell you, watching you around
the greens, and I think thisspeaks to Bianca's point about
being focusing on on the playaround the greens, is you know I

(26:22):
was watching it as like yourability to get up and down was
just crazy that day.

Yuka Saso (26:30):
Yeah it was, wasn't it.

Douglas Maida (26:31):
I was making mental notes and I'm like how
many times is Yuka going to beable to do this? It was just a
phenomenal performance aroundthe greens.

Yuka Saso (26:42):
Yeah you know first I mean first hole was I was pretty
calm but, you know going intosecond hole, third hole which
you know makes the fairway alittle narrower, I think that
you know, I was I felt a littlebit of you know, nervous But
yeah, I think that cost me youknow, hit it to the rough but

(27:08):
yeah, I think after a few hawkslike my caddie, Lionel, talked
to me and said you know, there'syou know, lots of holes left and
you know, try to get back youknow, onto the game and focus on
what I have to do now -- shot byshot now i think that you know,

(27:31):
relaxed me a bit and made mefocus on you know, what I had to
do -- focus on my routine and soI think you know, I think that
help with my approach shot.

Douglas Maida (27:43):
It came to the back nine you were a couple of
strokes behind Lexi. Lexi wasstill leading at that point, but
there were some other playersputting up some good numbers and
making a charge obviously,Nasa had come out of, I won't
say nowhere, because she wasn'ttoo far back, but she put
together a really good round.
What are your thoughts when youwere on 11, and you bogeyed 11,

(28:04):
but then Lexi made a double wasthere something going through
your mind? Like you knowwhat, that you know, even though
you made a bogey you still gotto she made you made up a stroke
honor or what was going throughyour mind that way -- Anything
in particular, or just focuscompletely on your own game?

Yuka Saso (28:20):
Yeah, I'm like, right after I had a two double bogey,
so on second and third hole. Itwas more about you know, trying
to finish good. You're trying toplay good golf, and not to, you
know, keep, you know, playingnot so good. till the end. I

(28:45):
think, yeah, like my cat, hesaid, you know, trying to get
back on what I have to do take ashot by shot. And I kind of knew
that, you know, I was very farfrom Lexi after, you know, first
nine, and there's some playersplaying good. So I wasn't really
paying attention to, you know,to the leaderboard, or to Lexi,

(29:09):
to other persons, it was reallymore just about me, myself. Now
check. You know, I was just, youknow, happy that I was there to
be able to experience thosestuff, you know, playing in the,
you know, last group. So, yeah,I wasn't really not thinking
about what I had to do to win orit was just, you know, me

(29:31):
playing golf.

Douglas Maida (29:33):
Right, right. I want to ask you another sort of
similar question. Lexi, on theback nine, you're on the 14th.
And Lexi dropped another shot onthe 14th. And you had made some
pars and whatnot. You findyourself coming into the 17th
and 18th. You had a you know,you could have had a, you didn't
get a chance to birdied the16th. So you had two holes left,

(29:56):
and you're needing some birdieswhile hoping Lexi would drop
some shots. At this point Nasa'snot in the clubhouse yet with
her with her score yet so thatwas still a bit of a variable at
that point in your mind did youand your caddy have a little
chat about just saying hey twoholes left let's just go out and
do the best you can to make somebirdies Are we still kind of
playing hey this is OlympicClub, I can't afford to you know

(30:19):
get off or go to wild herebecause you know that's really
penal rough or what kind of whatwas going through your mind that
way Yuka? [ correction -- the17th and 18th should have been
referenced as the 16th and 17th]

Yuka Saso (30:28):
After 14 or 13, I was kind of thinking of the last two
par fives -- 16 and 17 andthinking you know I need two
birdies on you know that to parfives for me to you know play
good and finish good. And I wasable to do that and on the last

(30:50):
hole weren't really thinkingabout it. Yeah, like we were
just thinking about how to, youknow, make a good score. And
that was really it. We weren'treally thinking about anything
else.

Douglas Maida (31:06):
So when you came to 18, I think by that time Lexi
had unfortunately for her,dropped a few more shots and was
now playing a little bit ofcatch up. Nasa was in the
clubhouse she had the low scorelow score for the tournament.
What were you thinking when youwere playing 18th say in the
fairway Did you know at thatpoint or were you just focusing

(31:27):
on finishing your hole andtrying to put a good score on
for that hole?

Yuka Saso (31:31):
Yeah, um, yeah, I was just trying to you know, get a
good score and and see it fromthere.

Douglas Maida (31:39):
Okay, and then you put out on 18. When did
you find out that you had achance to win the US Open? Did
you know what. . .

Yuka Saso (31:46):
On the last hole., yes, the green. The
leaderboard's big I can't youknow, no one can miss it.

Douglas Maida (31:52):
And plus, there was a huge crowd of Filipinos
around the green. . All cheeringyou on so

Yuka Saso (32:00):
Yeah and Bianca too, so I kind of knew.

Douglas Maida (32:07):
What was going through your thought process
with that putt? Because if youhad a sunk that one putt, you
would have won outright. And youonly need you had two pots to
force a play off one putt towin.

Yuka Saso (32:19):
So it was kind of 50-50. I said this in my
interview too, that my stomachhurt a little bit. I mean, yeah,
my stomach hurt, like prettybad. And I really really need to
go to the toilet. And then um,so um, yeah, I was thinking

(32:40):
about you know, I have to make Iwant to make this work, but at
the same time, I just want tofinish and go to the restroom.
So yeah, I was kind of 50-50

Douglas Maida (32:51):
Okay, so you two putted, you're in a playoff with
Nasa. Obviously you probablywent to the washroom in between
going back to the 18th again.
What was your strategy orthought -- did you and your
caddy have a strategy going backto the 18th for the playoff
hole?

Yuka Saso (33:07):
First i thought we're only gonna play like like hole
by hole -- I didn't know that wehad to do two holes and then
sudden-death like how to say it.
Yeah so we have to you have toplay two holes and then the
total score of two holes willdetermine the champion or if

(33:27):
not, then we're gonna go extraholes. I didn't know that and
when the rules officialannounced or like told us that
we had to play two holes, notmuch fun, actually we just you
know, stick to the plan on whatwe did in the last few hours.
You know, trying to make a goodscore and see from there.

Douglas Maida (33:53):
And then it came to 18 and you had the chance to
win and Nasa's shot came up alittle bit short. Were you
feeling any of the jitters then?
Or were you feeling a little bitof excitement? Or were you just
trying to stay focused and say-- look, I just got to make my
pot and play my game and I can'tget overly excited here.

Yuka Saso (34:11):
So we started our first playoff on 9, and then
come back to the 18th, and so Iwent to the toilet before we
started the playoff, but we usethe how to call it like the not
the real toilet, but just likethe extra ones.

Bianca Pagdanganan (34:30):
The porta-potty.

Yuka Saso (34:34):
So I use that and like it didn't really feel good
yeah. So after the like, whenthe first two whole playoff I
wasn't really very comfortablewith my stomach and like it was
it was not 100% healthy. Andthen so um, yeah, it was it was

(34:59):
50-50 on my first two holes ofplay off. It's like, play good,
but at the same time, you know,I want to go to toilet. And then
after the two holes, we went tothe nineth hole again. And then
my caddie suggested, why don'tyou you know, eat banana and see
if it can help. And I ate half.
And once we get to the fairway,my stomach felt good, like

(35:25):
really good. It was like, it wasgone. And this feels good. And I
hit a good shot coming into thegreen, and holed the putt.

Douglas Maida (35:38):
So you were able to just keep things level headed
and didn't get too far ahead ofyourself. Yeah. So when the pot
went in, What went through yourmind?

Yuka Saso (35:50):
What went wrong? I was like, haha, it's finally
done. I finally did it. Yeah,just that.

Douglas Maida (35:59):
Finally did what you finished or that you won?

Yuka Saso (36:02):
Finished the tournament. And I wanted to know
this. So first, tournament, andthen when I raised my hand, it
was like "I won".

Douglas Maida (36:15):
Let me ask you this. Now, after the US Open,
you must have had. I know youhad a lot of requests for
interviews and all sorts ofthings like that. I mean, how
busy was it for you after the USOpen? And how hectic was it for
a couple of weeks? Were yousuper busy for two weeks, a
week?

Yuka Saso (36:32):
I was busy maybe for two days or three. And that was
really it. The USGA and LPGAdid a great job because I didn't
have an agent. But they handledthe media so well, for me. They
just took care of me. So Iwasn't really that busy. Um,

(36:53):
yeah, it was, I enjoyed it, youknow, and it was not that bad.
It was pretty good.

Douglas Maida (36:59):
Oh, good. Good.
And, you know, you obviouslymade big waves both in Japan and
in the Philippines with the win.
So we are getting a lot of textmessages or a lot of people from
home.

Yuka Saso (37:11):
Yeah.

Douglas Maida (37:12):
Back in Japan and the Philippines calling you or
message

Yuka Saso (37:15):
Yeah, after winning the open. Yes, windows open. You
know, my followers and Instagramwent like, I don't know, like,
went like crazy. And a lot ofpeople messaging me I wasn't
really able to, you know, replyto every one of them. But I was
very thankful for, you know, allthe attention and, you know,

(37:37):
essages that they sent me. Younow, yeah, I wasn't really
xpecting it, but it felt reallyood.

Douglas Maida (37:46):
Oh, good. One more quick question before we
take a break for a commercial.
Looking back on it now -- how'syour thoughts been now? I mean,
did it feel really what we callsurreal at the time, like, you
just couldn't believe ithappened?

Yuka Saso (37:58):
I didn't really look back on how I did it. It
actually is something prettyfast. Now, winning the
tournament, maybe for a couple,you know, hours. I was a little
bit of, you know, maybe couldn'tbelieve it. But after you

(38:21):
know, receiving the trophy, and,you know, talking to you know,
Rory and a lot of, you know,people for me, USGA, kind of
sunk in and, you know, it reallyfelt good that I won the
tournament of that I dreamt andyeah, like, I've never, haven't

(38:45):
really looked back on, you know,how I felt or, you know, looking
back to how I played, you know,because maybe if I did, maybe
I'll look back on the second dayor third day when I played
really good golf, but not reallyon the last day because I kind

(39:06):
of screwed up on the first fewhours.

Douglas Maida (39:10):
But all's well that ends well.

Yuka Saso (39:12):
You know, it's not how you start. It's how you
finish.

Douglas Maida (39:15):
Okay, thank you.
We're going to take a shortbreak for commercial and when we
come back, we're going to chat alittle bit about both of your
experiences at the TokyoOlympics. And then we're going
to chat a little bit aboutWomen's Professional Golf in the
Philippines, and women's golf ingeneral in the Philippines.

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Douglas Maida (41:15):
We're back. Thank you for staying with us. Now,
Yuka and Bianca let's chat alittle bit about the Tokyo
Olympics. Both of your firsttimes playing in the Olympics.
So how would you describe theexperience of playing in the
Olympic Games? And what would itmeant to be? Well, I'll leave

(41:36):
the second question. I'll comeback. So what was it like for
the experience of playing theOlympic Games? Do you want to
lead it off? Bianca?

Bianca Pagdanganan (41:43):
Sure. Um, obviously like the Olympics is I
feel like every athletes dreamof playing. But I think it was
like a different circumstancefor me. I don't know about Yuka.
Just because golf was onlybrought back in 2016. So
obviously growing up was like,oh, hopefully one day they bring
it back because you know, it'dbe so cool because you I used to

(42:04):
watch it on TV. Like I used towatch other sports. And I was
like, must be so nice being ableto play in the Olympics. So when
they finally brought it back in2016, I, I was in college. Yeah,
I was in college, I was like,Oh, that's so cool. I hope that
one day I get to play and Ididn't think it would come too

(42:25):
soon. But it was such a greatexperience.
I actually flew in a little bitearlier. So I was there the week
that the guys were playing so Ijust wanted to like watch a
little bit of golf and just beable to watch these guys play up
close. I think that was such apretty cool experience. It's
something that doesn't happen alot of the time like you're you

(42:47):
you guys are like in the sameclub house you're like up close
and personal with these like PGAplayers. So that was pretty
cool. But yeah, likerepresenting the Philippines in
the Olympics, you know,something I've something I've
once dreamt of was definitelyone for the books, like probably
one of the highlights of mycareer I'd say. It was kind

(43:09):
of weird not having peoplearound. But there were a lot of
volunteers and they were allvery like pleasant. And it was
fun to have at least like somepeople out there clapping for
us, like on the first tee orjust you know, seeing them on
some of the holes. So yeah, itwas a really, really fun
experience. Even if it was like,kind of hot up there.

Douglas Maida (43:31):
Yeah, we've all heard that it was unusually hot
for Tokyo that time of the year.

Bianca Pagdanganan (43:38):
I guess so .
. . I thought I was gonna beused to like humidity and heat
just because growing up in thePhilippines, you know, I've had
all that and then I get thereand I'm just like, why does it
feel like it's so much hotter?
It was weird, but like we gotthrough the tournament. I don't
know what it was. But I watchedlike three holes when the guys
were playing and I just likewalked back to the clubhouse

(44:00):
because I was like dripping insweat. And I was like, This
never happens to me. So yeah,and I was able to watch the
players that I wanted to play.
So I was like, Oh my goodness.
Wow.

Douglas Maida (44:12):
What were your thoughts about watching them?

Bianca Pagdanganan (44:15):
I was starstruck, like hardcore. So I
was like watching Rory, and Iwatched him hit a tee shot and I
was like, Oh my gosh, he's like,I was like, he's right there.
Because there was no onewatching and we were allowed to,
you know, walk the course so hewas so close and I was just like
I could watch a PGA Tour and Iwould never be this close to any

(44:37):
of the players. So I watchedRory; I watched Colin Morikawa.
I'm like a huge fan ballstriking, amazing. Him making
bars from like, the rough inJapan -- hands down like I was
like low-key fangirling over inJapan, kinda embarrassing to say
whatever but it is what it is.

(44:58):
But Yeah, you know, like whatyou mentioned earlier, I feel
like it's a different ballgame.
It's a different kind of golfand you're watching these guys
rip it like 300 yards. How sadis that? It's it's just really
fun to watch and like,obviously, you know what they
show on TV. They're always likethe good shots. And, of course,

(45:21):
like I came across some, likenot so great shots. And that
just, I wouldn't say that, like,it made me feel better, but it
made me feel more normal. Like,you know, even the top players
in the world make mistakes, onlydifferences, they can bounce
back from their mistakes, andthey're able to generate pars
and save them. So that's likeone thing that I'm really really

(45:42):
working hard on. So yeah,learning experience. Tokyo -- it
was fun.

Douglas Maida (45:50):
Did Rory recognize you?

Bianca Pagdanganan (45:53):
Not me, and definitely Yuka! I was like,
I was sitting outside theclubhouse. And I was just like,
it's right. It's our look. Andhe was walking because
tournament got suspended, orthey had to go back to the
clubhouse because of the rain.
And then when they were headingback, like I think Yuka was
like, good luck, Rory. And I waslike, dang, they're like besties
now. Like, must be nice. I did.

(46:17):
I did have a selfie with Rory.
So cool. Cool. I forgot how totalk for like five seconds. I
was like, cheesy worried. I waslike, what was I gonna say? What
was I gonna say? And then he waslike, looking like she gonna say
something. And I was like, Can Ihave a selfie with you? And he's
like, Yeah, sure.

Douglas Maida (46:43):
So Yuka, you can . . . Bianca says your besties
now with Rory.

Yuka Saso (46:48):
Not, but when I watched Rory and like I went
there early, too. So I'vewatched Rory hold for days. So
yeah, when I went off to watchhim, he came out and said hi to
me, so it's pretty. Yeah, it waspretty good. So kind of him,

Douglas Maida (47:10):
What was your experience playing the Olympics?
Was it? Well, let me ask youthis both, and you can lead
Yuka, you both represented thePhilippines at the Asian Games.
And Bianca, you did anadditional year with the
Southeast Asian Games. Howdifferent was the Olympics? Was
it a big difference for you inrepresenting the Philippines and

(47:32):
competing? I guess it would beat the Olympics. I mean, it's
the best of the best. So butwhat were your thoughts and on
the experience Yuka?

Yuka Saso (47:41):
Um, a little bit of a little bit different from
Bianca. I wasn't really watchingOlympics growing up. I was more
into golf majors. Like USWomen's open British Open, you
know, PGA Championship and nowANA and yeah, everything else.

(48:02):
So yeah, you know, I mean, itwasn't really, in my dream or
goals to be playing Olympicsbecause I thought it was kind of
impossible. Yeah, cuz there wasnot no golf. Even when I, you
know, watch the 2016 Olympics inRio. I wasn't really not -- I

(48:27):
was interested. But I was, I wasnot very focused on an Olympics,
but you know, to be able to playand, you know, qualify for it,
it was very good experience.
And, you know, it was a lot offun, you know, meeting a lot of
new players from other countriesplaying same course with the
men's. Yeah, definitely, youknow, learned a lot and a lot of

(48:50):
things to work on.

Douglas Maida (48:55):
So what's your favorite experience from playing
in the Tokyo Olympics?

Yuka Saso (49:03):
I think play or seeing . . .

Bianca Pagdanganan (49:08):
Meeting Rory?
The second time around.

Douglas Maida (49:16):
And how about you, Bianca, and yeah, what was
your favorite memory of theOlympics?

Bianca Pagdanganan (49:21):
Oh, favorite memory of the Olympics?

Yuka Saso (49:24):
Meeting the guys.

Bianca Pagdanganan (49:26):
I'm seeing the guys. No, I think it was
just really cool. Being able tolike, be in the driving range,
hitting at the same time aswell. I wouldn't say the same
times. But like when they wereout, that's when we could
practice just so we wouldn'treally occupy the space. But it
was just like a cool experience.
It's like you're in the sametournament like, I don't know

(49:48):
how to explain it just like youguys are using like the same
putting range, in the samedriving range and you're all
just like in the ropes. It was.
That was pretty cool, but to me,it's awesome.
Representing the Philippines isalways a pleasure really such an
honor, you know, to be able todo that not a lot of people are
blessed to have thatopportunity, you know, playing

(50:10):
for your country. I'm not justtalking about the Olympics, but
like, like, as you said, youknow, Asian Games, Southeast
Asian Games, it's just like, Idon't know, you just carry a lot
of pride for your country. And,you know, hear this all the
time, you know, we play forsomething bigger than ourselves.
And it's, it was really just anamazing experience overall,

(50:31):
that, you know, you're you'rejust always gonna have that your
people are always telling youthis, and they're like, oh,
you're forever going to be anlympian. Like, that's pret
y cool to hear. Like, I stil haven't processed that. B
t yeah, it's obviously somethig I'll never forget, especial
y with that being my first. Oka

Douglas Maida (50:53):
Let's switch gears a little bit here. And
let's focus on women's golf inthe Philippines. I don't think
it comes as a surprise to bothof you that you two are probably
along with Dottie, who's havinga great season so far this year,
are the most popular golfers inin the Philippines. And I'm
getting a lot of feedback fromfriends I do have in the
Philippines were telling me thatthe amount of traffic on the

(51:14):
golf courses and has justskyrocketed in the last year to
two years. Just because of allthe excitement, you know, Bianca
last year at the KPMG. And thenfollowing it up at Lake
Reynolds. And then Yuka -- youkind of took it into the next
level after, after Olympicclub. I mean, they're just all
going crazy and support andpeople just running to the golf

(51:37):
courses and booking up teetimes. I have one friend who's
told me that she used to be ableto go to the golf course and
she'd get a tee time just byshowing up. Now she has to
book it weeks in advance just toget a tee time. Why don't you
-- let me ask you this? What wasit like Bianca, for you growing
up in the Philippines playinggolf? I mean, just how would you

(51:58):
describe it?

Bianca Pagdanganan (51:58):
It was hard, especially like going to regular
school and trying to balance itout with golf. It was really
tough. But at the same time, youknow, I'm glad that I went
But yeah, it was kind of hard,just trying to balance
through that experience justtrying to manage my own time
wisely or learning that at ayoung age. But it was really
tough because growing up I mean,it wasn't. I had friends

(52:20):
everything out. I mean, lookingat it now there's just so much
involved. But like, obviously,it wasn't like the most popular
sport. So growing up, most ofthe people I played with were
just boys my age are much olderthan me. I didn't really have a
lot of girlfriends. So everytime I like saw a new girl -- in
my head, I'd be like, "I hopeshe like continues playin

(52:41):
so there's like someone else Ican talk to
more opportunities. I think withyou know, the fact that we're
trying to grow the game with youknow, how we're playing on tour,

(53:03):
try inspire younger girls, Ithink it's nice that more people
are picking up the sport. Um,but yeah, I think definitely
looking back, golfers now havedefinitely more opportunities
than what we had in the past,which is great, because
obviously, you want things toget better for the next
generation of people that youknow, just want to play any kind

(53:26):
of sport in general.

Douglas Maida (53:28):
Right. How about you Yuka? Was it . . . What was
your experience like growing upin the Philippines playing golf?

Yuka Saso (53:38):
Um, for me, it was pretty easy compared to Bianca I
guess because I didn't really goto school, like regular school.
I was home schooled my wholelife. So basically, I just, you
know, wake up, go to golf courseand then come back, and study a
little bit, and sleep , thenrepeat.

Bianca Pagdanganan (54:02):
That was a scheduled -- sleep, golf,
School.

Yuka Saso (54:08):
Um, but yeah, I think Philippine has, you know, no
golf courses for juniors topractice on. Compared to,
because I'm half . . . comparedto Japan. I think they're more
friendly for junior golfers andmore supportive on the golf
course. But I think we lack alittle bit of support. And, you

(54:32):
know, for amateur golfers to beable to play in, you know,
bigger tournaments and, youknow, outside the countries, if
we were able to do that and, youknow, trying to grow the game I
think, you know, Philippinesobviously can produce you know,
more, lots of great players.

Douglas Maida (54:54):
Yeah, you raise a very good point there Yuka. I've
heard from some people, as wewere mentioning the interest in
golf and the success that youhad last year, Bianca and your
success this year Yuka -- kidsare, are growing and going to
the golf course and playing and,my friends are telling me

(55:15):
they're seeing a lot more juniorgolfers out at the golf course.
I mean, that must feel good forboth of you that they're wanting
to emulate, all of you, youknow, and Dottie too, because
you know, she's got her fanstoo, playing on the LPGA, and
people are watching her play andand, you know, I'm getting a lot
of comments saying how nice itis to see three Philippine flags

(55:35):
on the scoreboards and theleaderboard. So that's obviously
gonna feel pretty good andsatisfying that the two of you
are role models for a lot of thekids going to the golf courses.

Yuka Saso (55:46):
Yeah, I, I actually, you know, look up to Dottie a
lot, and obviously, to Bianca aswell, you know, they came to
LPGA earlier than I did. Andthey have lots of experience
and, you know, for all the hardworks, I think, like I said, if
we had more support, you know, Ithink they could, or, you know,

(56:10):
we all could introduce the golfto more junior or kids in
Philippines. And I think both ofthem are very, you know, great
players. And, like I said, Ilook up to them. So hopefully we
can get that near in the future,

Douglas Maida (56:26):
When you say some more support, are you thinking
like, financial support andcoaching support to be able to
develop Junior golf programs in,in more parts of the
Philippines, and/or being ableto support Junior programs so
that you can travel out of thecountry to play like a, like a
National Junior golf team orprogram,

Yuka Saso (56:44):
I think maybe more on Junior programs, you know,
trying to grow the juniors,that's where we need to start
compared to, you know, othercountries like, Korea, or Japan,
or China, because I've beenthere many times, the way they
support the juniors or like, howthey support the tournaments.

(57:08):
It's really different. So um,hopefully, you know, you know,
we can help them up a littlebit, you know, grow the game.

Douglas Maida (57:15):
Right. Do you have any thoughts, Bianca about
how you'd like to see the gamegrower what you think needs to
be, or if it was your wish list,what you'd like to see
addressed,

Bianca Pagdanganan (57:24):
I mean, Yuka said a lot of the points that I
was thinking of definitely likesupport. And you can just see
that, you know, other countriesare able to do it, they're able
to produce amazing Juniorgolfers. Like, they play
phenomenal, phenomenal golf at areally young age. So you could
just see how much support theyget from, I guess, like their

(57:48):
programs in their respectivecountries, and you just know
that they get a lot of support,especially because, you know,
they get to play a lot ofevents. And I think that's very
important, especially as ajunior golfer, you need the
exposure, you need theexperience, you know, that in
general is a big deal.
I mean, I can personally saythat I didn't really have a lot

(58:09):
of experience growing up as ajunior golfer, I didn't really
play a whole lot of events. Imean, I wish I did, but, you
know, if we had more support forprobably like Junior programs,
because like what Yuka said,that's how you're that's where
we should start when these kidsare young. But also make it
like, you know, probably funbecause you don't want kids
getting burnt out at an earlyage. But yeah, overall, that's

(58:32):
just pretty much like thethought that I have trying to
grow the game. But comparing itto my, I'm not trying to make it
sound like it was a long timeago, but my time, it's
definitely a lot different thanhow it is now. I mean, it's much
better, but of course, you canprobably still do some more
work, you know, heading towardsthat direction of trying to

(58:54):
produce great athletes.

Douglas Maida (58:57):
I think in the last decade or so golf has
become; has become known as orrequiring athletes as opposed to
just golfers I mean, breakingthe old stereotypes that, oh,
you play golf, you're not anathlete.

Bianca Pagdanganan (59:11):
Yeah.

Douglas Maida (59:12):
Did you ever think someday, Bianca, that
people would be looking up toyou as a role model?

Bianca Pagdanganan (59:18):
Nope. I had to be straightforward. No. I'm
just because I have. It's weird,but it's also like very, like,
I'm very grateful for that. Iappreciate the fact that there
are people who look up to meit's pretty surreal, kind of
weird, because obviously, like,I had a hard time like seeing,

(59:40):
trying to see my own talent forwhat it was just because it took
me a while to actually getbetter in the sport. Like I was
just mediocre growing up. I waslike, Okay, I wasn't winning any
events. I was like, I'm justgonna be one of those like --
okay, who knows if I'll make itout on tour. And then for some
reason, something just switchedand like, I started playing
better golf and I honestlycouldn't believe it at first. I

(01:00:03):
was like, I'm actually doingpretty good. Like I'm excelling
in what I do that sort of takeit to the next level. So I think
that's when it just started to,you know, push me.
There was something about mebeing very competitive with
myself that wanted to make mebetter. So the fact that there
that I get to inspire peoplejust by doing what I enjoy doing

(01:00:25):
is something very fulfilling,and probably something I never
really saw or I've never seencoming. So it's kind of weird.
I'm like, oh, you're my idol.
Like, me? Thank you. I stillwant to get offered. I like
don't know how to respond. Butthank you, I really appreciate
it. But you know, that's like,having people who, when I find
out that you know, there arepeople who look up to me, it

(01:00:47):
just makes me want to do betterand be better not just for
myself, but you know, foreveryone else around me.

Douglas Maida (01:00:56):
How about you Yuka? Have you been back to the
Philippines at all this yearsince the US Open?

Yuka Saso (01:01:01):
No.

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:01:02):
Yuka's my idol.

Yuka Saso (01:01:04):
I've never been really back the Philippines.
It's not easy to go back now.
Because we have to doquarantine. So yeah, not really.

Douglas Maida (01:01:13):
Has anybody recognized you on the in the
United States?

Yuka Saso (01:01:17):
Junior kids, Maybe not? Yeah.

Douglas Maida (01:01:19):
Well, I know when you go back to the Philippines,
you're definitely going to havea lot of attention.

Yuka Saso (01:01:25):
Yeah maybe.

Douglas Maida (01:01:27):
Well, I saw last I saw in June, one of the golf
courses there, one of them madean announcement that they had
awarded you an honorary lifetimemembership of their course.

Yuka Saso (01:01:37):
Oh, I'm not sure.

Douglas Maida (01:01:41):
No, but you know, there's just that kind of stuff.
And I know they're going to beexcited when you do go back too,
so.

Yuka Saso (01:01:46):
Yeah, I'm pretty excited to go back. But same
time, you know, I still have topay attention to my health. And
hopefully, I can go back andthank all the people who have
supported me and yeah, hopefullysoon and see what's going on
there.

Douglas Maida (01:02:06):
Let's talk a little bit about sponsorship.
We've been talking about otherthings that can happen with
regards to golf, for juniorprograms and whatnot. But how
important is the sponsorshipbeen for you in these past
couple of years? I noticed, youknow, as an observer, I've
noticed an increase of ICTSI forexample, now is a lot more

(01:02:27):
prominent in terms of theirsponsorship of you know,
yourselves, You, Bianca and Ithink Dottie is on some
sponsorship from ICTSI as well.
I mean, that's a fairly newdevelopment and Women's
Professional Golf. Any thoughtsabout the importance of
sponsorship and, and thingscompanies like ICTSI stepping up
to support women's golf?

Yuka Saso (01:02:50):
Okay, I am very grateful for ICTSI. You know,
they've been there since thebeginning for me And know, they
also have this...they also builtthis LPGT -- professional golfer

(01:03:11):
in the Philippines, to grow thegame to grow the golf in
Philippines. So yeah, for, allof the things they've done for
me, I'm really grateful for andfor all the support. You know,
it's been unbelievable. Yeah, Icannot, you know, I'm grateful
that I have them on my side.

Douglas Maida (01:03:34):
Great. But what about yourself, Bianca?

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:03:37):
I just think that ICTSI has always been very
supportive of women's golfers.
But yeah, like what you said,you know, they're not just
supporting us out here on theLPGA. But they also have the
Filipina Golf Tour back home.
So at least, you know, like shesaid, she, they're still trying
to grow the game and making surethat you know, golfers who were

(01:04:01):
able to play on those events,you know, have the opportunity
to just keep playing golf and dowhat they love. So like I say
like, Yuka said, like, she'svery grateful. And so am I --I
am super grateful for theirsupport of partnering with them
at the start of my pro careerand honestly, like, some things

(01:04:21):
would have been; wouldn't havebeen possible without their
help. And I'm just trulygrateful that, you know, I'm
able to represent them on tourand just really have a great
support system in general, but alot of things I wouldn't have
been able to do without theirsupport

Douglas Maida (01:04:37):
Well said well said you too. Are there any
other sponsors that either thetwo of you would like to thank
maybe you're and I say sponsorsas opposed to fans or, or family
members? Is there any othersponsors that you'd like to
acknowledge or?

Yuka Saso (01:04:52):
First I'd like to thank my family. You know,
they've been there too since thebeginning. Like, you know, But
you know, without them Iwouldn't be here. No, especially
my dad has been supporting mesince I started playing golf. So

(01:05:12):
I'm very thankful to my familyand my other sponsors. Piretti,
Ginza Choshuya, the JapaneseSword or rock paint, Poka-ku,
Muira -- You know, they've beena great support since the
beginning of you know, my procareer. So yeah, thank you for

(01:05:34):
all the support.

Douglas Maida (01:05:36):
And how about you, Bianca?

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:05:38):
Definitely say, um, I feel like my family
has played such a huge role interms of my career. And the
success that I've experienced sofar, and definitely wouldn't
have gone this far without them.
They're the ones who reallybelieve in me and tried to push
me to believe in myself and justbecome better. So I'm just, I
wasn't the only one who had to,you know, give up and sacrifice

(01:06:02):
a lot of things, but so didthem. So, you know, I just
obviously want to thank my mom,my dad. My dad, who's always
with me when I travel, personaldriver, a guy who does my
laundry, but yeah, my dad doeseverything for me, which I'm
super grateful for just becauseI get to focus on golf, and just
do my own thing. And, of course,my mom and my brother, my sister

(01:06:24):
back home in the Philippines,that, you know, they're my team
-- my brother's my lawyer, mysister's, my financial advisor.
So I'm just grateful that I havea good relationship with my
family, and that they're reallyable to help me pursue my, my
dreams, and of course, myfriends back home, that I can

(01:06:44):
still keep in touch with veryunderstanding that I've had to
miss a lot of things growing up,but they're still my friends.
And they're my other supportgroup.
My other sponsors, you know, Igot ICTSI, Skyflakes, Smart
Design, my clubs -- PING ingthat I've always played my

(01:07:05):
entire life, pretty much. Yeah,just everything FootJoy,
Titleist, -- trying to make sureI don't miss anything. But yeah,
I'm just grateful for thesupport that I've got. But
overall, you know, like I saidearlier, I wouldn't be where I
am without the help, the supportthat I get from my sponsors, my

(01:07:26):
family and my friends. And I'mjust really grateful that I have
all that to back me up,especially on the tougher days
that I have. So thank youeveryone.

Douglas Maida (01:07:37):
Right. That's good. That's good. Let me ask
you where I mean, we're nearingthe end of our program. So a
couple more things I wouldn'tmind chatting about with you.
Life on the tour, and life onthe LPGA. I mean, there. And
I asked this and most of ourguests, I mean, there's a big
impression that when they seeyou playing golf on TV, they

(01:07:59):
think it's a fairly, you'replaying in these beautiful
venues, and you're playing inthese great cities and things
like that. And there's thisbelief that it's a very
glamorous life, and maybe tosome degree, it is -- for sure
you get to travel places thatyou've never been before and see
the world a bit. But, am I fairto say that it's a roller

(01:08:21):
coaster for you? And that you goup and down? And there's a lot
of things to to deal with weekin and week out? And, you know,
things of that nature? I mean,is that a fair assessment?
Bianca?

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:08:33):
Yeah, definitely. I just because we
get to travel to a lot of placesdoesn't really mean we get to
explore a whole lot. I'm justthe type of person who just, oh,

well, (01:08:44):
tournament weeks, are for tournaments. Like when I travel.
I guess like, sometimes I feellike I should, you know, I've
tried to at least see one place.
That's not the golf course. ButI just, I just can't get myself
to do it. Because in my head,I'm like, I'm here for work. And

(01:09:05):
I mean, I shouldn't deprivemyself of being able to go out
and explore. But at the sametime, it's just like, I am in
the hotel, I'm in the golfcourse I get back home and I'm
tired. It's like I just want tokind of lay in bed and save my
energy for the rest of the week.
But yeah, there are definitelysome things that people don't
see behind what they see on TV.

(01:09:28):
And it's easy for them to judgewith what they see on like,
social media whatsoever. So it'skind of hard on us athletes, I
would say sometimes, like it'sall it's not just like rainbows
and butterflies, andeverything's perfect because we
get to play and amazing courses,but there's just so much work
that goes behind that.
And it's just, there's just alot of things that I could

(01:09:52):
probably talk about, but Iwouldn't go on and on. Just
because of how much I'd probablyhave to say. There's just so
many other things that peopledon't see. And it really takes a
lot of like mental toughness tobe able to, you know, go through
everything, especially with lifeon tour being on the road, week

(01:10:13):
after week. Like, sometimes whenyou're out on the road you wish
for like simple things likebeing able to eat off of a
plate, when all you get istakeout all the time. I mean, we
get food at the clubhouse, butfor other meals, it's just like,
having to decide what you wantto eat, when you don't have a
kitchen in your hotel room orwhatsoever, you know, some of
those simple things you kind ofhave to worry about. And I'm

(01:10:34):
just like, I shouldn't bethinking about this, but it is
what it is. And life on the roadis just, it just has a lot of
ups and downs. It is fun,though. But yeah, a lot of ups
and downs.

Douglas Maida (01:10:48):
And how about you Yuka? What are your thoughts?
And, and how do you cope withthe highs and the laws of
playing professional golf Yuka?

Yuka Saso (01:10:57):
You know, me being professional, my experiences,
like very little. So, like inJapan, it's pretty easy for to
travel, everything is prettynear nearby, so not very hard on
that. And I'm a very indoorperson, so I don't really want

(01:11:24):
to go out after a golf course, Ijust want to go back to hotel or
home and sleep or rest. Even inprivate life, I don't really go
out to, you know, places oryeah, like shopping, I don't
really do that. So not nothingreally changed for me. Even I'm

(01:11:48):
on the road. got off course goback to hotel, rest, and then
repeat.
But like Bianca said, maybe foodis a little bit of challenging,
because some place here inUnited States, I mean, I'm used
to eating rice, because that'sour food in Asia. And that's

(01:12:10):
pretty much hard to find here inAmerica. So you know, not having
rice for, you know, three weeksin a row or like a month, it's
pretty tough. But yeah, I'mgetting kind of used to it and,
you know, finding a good food.
And they LPGA and, you know,tournaments, they, you know,
give us very quality food. Andso it's been great, but outside,

(01:12:35):
it's not like yeah, like I said,it's pretty, not easy to, you
know, find the food that youwant to eat.

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:12:46):
Can I just like add on to that. I guess
like one way of handlingeverything on tours, you need to
like at least try to find anoutlet that's not golf related,
just so you don't go crazybecause that's literally what
you do every day. If you're notcompeting, you're out practicing
and you need to find somethingthat'll help you take your mind

(01:13:09):
off things like maybe a book, agame, or if you'd like drawing,
or just something that's notrelated to the sport that way it
can kind of lessen the feelingof probably getting burnt out
one day or just being upset witheverything that you do. So
that's like one thing that Ilearned I guess in the past year

(01:13:31):
I like Yuka, I don't really havea whole lot of experience. This
is like my rookie year on tour,but yeah, just having some sort
of outlet that isn't completelyjust go watch a movie or
something. So yeah,

Douglas Maida (01:13:46):
Right. Let's say for example, you're back in
the Philippines or at thedriving range. A young girl or
young boy comes up to you andtells you that they have a dream
to play professional golf. Whatadvice would you give them? Yuka
-- Do you want to start and thenokay. Or would you prefer Bianca
start?

Yuka Saso (01:14:07):
I can, I can go -- let's play golf. Alright. Yeah,
I'm naw, I'm just kidding. I'mprobably play a lot of golf.
And, you know, enjoy every, youknow, moment. Enjoyed the

(01:14:31):
journey.

Douglas Maida (01:14:34):
Right. Right.
Okay. Good advice. And how aboutyou, Bianca?

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:14:40):
I would just listen to the US Open Champion's
advice. Same, no, but I'dprobably say that it's not going
to be easy, just so you know.
I'm not gonna scare themobviously, but You know, your
journey is definitely gonna. Oryou're gonna have to put in like

(01:15:04):
a lot of sacrificing, you needto make sure that you really
that this is what you reallywant to do. But nothing is ever
impossible. And if you put yourmind and your heart into
something that you really wantor something that you really
believe in, you can definitelyachieve it. Especially with like
a grade. I should probably makeit simpler because this is a

(01:15:25):
junior golfer, right?
But, um, yeah. Yeah, I justthought about that. But yeah, if
you have a great support system,family that right behind you
pushing you every step of theway, then, you know, that's
gonna be a huge blessing. Butoverall, I think the most

(01:15:49):
important part is that you enjoyeverything that you're going to
go through, because you'll lookback one day and just kind of be
like -- Oh, you know, thememories are just going to kick
back in and you'll remember allthe good times that you have,
and that's something that you'llprobably want to remember when
you're having a tough day at theoffice, on the golf course. It's

(01:16:10):
just make sure you have lots ofgreat memories, because that's
something that you're going tolook back at and kind of help
you you know, get back on trackand kind of remind you why
you're doing what you're doing.

Douglas Maida (01:16:22):
Great, wonderful advice. Ladies, I appreciate it.
could probably come up with adozen more questions and topics
to talk about, but appreciateyour time already. And we should
draw this to a close so I willsay thank you to both of you.
Salamat po and Domo arigatogozaimashita

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:16:49):
Yeah, I think that's the word good.
Better than how you said mylast.

Douglas Maida (01:16:54):
I don't I surprised you there, Yuka. I
actually speak Japanese prettygood. I mean, for a visitor.

Yuka Saso (01:17:05):
Thank you.

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:17:05):
I just say like Onaka ga akimashita -- I'm
hungry.

Douglas Maida (01:17:11):
Um, is there any special thank you that you would
like leave with somebody oranything like that? Start with
you, Bianca. Yes, no?

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:17:22):
I'm sure like, well, thank you for having
me and Yuka, and just thinkingabout us as your guests for your
podcast. Really appreciate it. Ialso want to thank you for for
adjusting your time. I'm sorry.
But yeah, obviously. Thank you,to you. Thank you to everyone
who listens and supports yourshow. I think it's nice that
there's a golf podcast thatlikes to guess us

(01:17:43):
Filipinos/Japanese. But yeah,thank you know, everyone
listening, everyone supportingus. We really appreciate
everything that you know,everything that you guys do for
us. So yeah. Thanks, guys. Myfamily and friends too.

Douglas Maida (01:18:03):
and how about you, Yuka?

Yuka Saso (01:18:04):
Um, actually, it's almost same. Thank you for
having us. It's been really fun.
And of course, Aisa, my caddy atCanlubang. Thank you for
listening. And also, Julie Ting,we haven't met but, thank you
for listening and cheering usfrom afar. And obviously, to all
the people who who's listening.

(01:18:27):
Thank you for listening to us.
And hopefully see you guys andyou know, hopefully on tour
watching us.

Douglas Maida (01:18:33):
Alright, thank you. Wonderful. Thank you very
much, ladies for taking time outof your day to be with us. And
it's super appreciated. And bestof luck in your future upcoming
activities. Yuka I guess yournext event will be playing the
Pelican?. Or are you going toKorea?

Yuka Saso (01:18:51):
I am going to Japan?

Douglas Maida (01:18:53):
Oh, you are going to Japan?

Yuka Saso (01:18:55):
Yes. I'm playing.

Douglas Maida (01:18:57):
Are you going to play the LPGA? Yes. So you're
going to play the Toto event?

Yuka Saso (01:19:04):
That's not like "sure, sure" yet. We're just
thinking about it. Now.

Douglas Maida (01:19:09):
Right? And how about you, Bianca, your next
event will be the qualifier forthe Pelican?

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:19:15):
Yes, sir.
I'll probably try to find like,warm up events before heading
into that and Q-Series. Sothat's what I have in mind.

Douglas Maida (01:19:25):
Wonderful. All right. Well, thank you again,
ladies and wonderful. And have agood couple of weeks and best
wishes for you and for theholiday season that's fast
approaching.

Yuka Saso (01:19:38):
Thank you. Stay Safe

Bianca Pagdanganan (01:19:39):
Thank you again for having us. Yep, stay
safe.

Douglas Maida (01:19:42):
Bye bye. And that Ladies and gentlemen, concludes
our show for tonight. Thank youvery, very much for listening
with us. And we'll see you againsoon with another show. Take
care.

Amy (Studio) (01:19:54):
You have been listening to our podcast show.
We're talking golf produced bythe world of golf. This episode
was recorded on Tuesday, October12th 2021. If you have an idea
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(01:20:18):
Thank you for joining us.