Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki, a mentor of U.S. Women's Open champion Yuka Saso, attributed her victory at this year's tournament to Saso's never-give-up spirit, cultivated in the difficult environment in which she grew up.
"It also resulted from her effort, as she understands more than anybody else that working hard is the only way to win," Ozaki said.
Saso narrowly defeated Nasa Hataoka at the 76th U.S. Women's Open on Sunday in a three-hole playoff. Ozaki said: "I would like to give her [Hataoka] the greatest praise. I think Hataoka was a great runner-up."
Hisako Higuchi, the first Japanese player to win a major golf championship, said Saso's victory "will be a great inspiration for Japanese players and the Japanese golf world."
Hiromi Kobayashi, who chairs the Japan Ladies Professional Golfers' Association, said in a statement, "I was thrilled to see Saso and Hataoka compete for the championship."
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