How Olympic golfer has changed country for this year’s Games

Two-time major champion Yuka Saso has experienced the Olympic Games like few others.

While athletes dream of representing their country, the 23-year-old has represented two.

Despite being one of Japan’s top golfers, Saso competed for the Philippines at the Tokyo Games.

This week, however, at Le Golf National in Paris, the US Women’s Open champ has switched allegiance and will represent Japan.

While her father is Japanese, her mother is Filipino and Saso says she is ‘grateful’ to experience helping both nations at the top table.

“Nothing much different,” she said, when asked how she feels heading into the competition. “But obviously playing in Tokyo, I was there to help my mother’s country and now my dad’s country.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to experience — not a lot of people can experience this, what I’m experiencing right now. So I’m really grateful and very excited to be part of it again.”

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Ironically, her first appearance in the Olympics was in Japan three years ago.

The Games were delayed a year, kicking off in 2021 as the coronavirus pandemic brought everything to a global halt.

With no restrictions this year, Saso is looking forward to a more ‘fulfilling’ experience.

“It was COVID year, and we can’t really go out,” she said of the Tokyo Games. “What we can do is very limited on the golf course.

“This time I get to experience the Olympics itself. I’m meeting a lot of people and no restrictions on where we’re going. So it’s more fulfilling this time around.”

When it comes to representing multiple nations, it’s uncommon, but not totally unheard of.

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The question has been asked of Rory McIlroy in recent years, who could’ve turned out for Team GB. Instead, the Northern Irishman opted to play for Ireland.

Meanwhile, it clearly worked for Rory Sabbatini in Tokyo.

The South African-born golfer adopted Slovakian sporting nationality in 2019 and won silver behind gold medalist Xander Schauffele.

Saso, who qualified for the Japan team after winning the US Women’s Open for a second time in June, is joined by Miyu Yamashita this week.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.