She won the U.S. Women’s Open. Her gestures afterward also were telling

Hello friends and happy Championship Sunday from the U.S. Women’s Open! Congratulations to our newest champion, Yuka Saso. I invite you all to take a moment and compare your 22-year-old self to the 22-year-old who just won her second major.

The final round was full of drama and excitement, but I want to talk less about the actual golf and more about all the kind things Yuka Saso did after winning at Lancaster Country Club today.

At the trophy ceremony

After the final group finished play, Saso made her way back to the 18th green for the trophy ceremony. A few tech staffers began pulling at the microphone and speaker wires before the ceremony began, and Saso immediately picked up on it and helped them get the wires out of the way. While the rest of the people on-site prepped for the U.S. Women’s Open champion to receive her trophy, the champion herself was helping others.

Saso got choked up during her trophy ceremony when talking about how much her parents mean to her. She said she won the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open for her mom, and this one was for her dad. I don’t think many 22-year-olds have the maturity to reflect on massive moments as well as Saso did here, but then again, most 22-year olds aren’t winning their second U.S. Open, either.

During her press conference

The moment Saso stepped into the interview area after the trophy ceremony, she spotted a bottle of water on the interview table. She looked at USGA moderator Julia Pine and asked if she wanted the water. When Pine explained that the water had been placed there specifically for Saso, the champ once again offered it to Pine. “Are you sure you don’t want it?,” she asked. I think Saso made sure Pine was well hydrated about five times before her post-round interview with the media officially began.

The thing that impressed me most about Saso’s presser was just how lovingly she talked about the USGA. Sure, you’re going to like the organization that runs the major you’ve won twice. But she mentioned a handful of USGA employees by name not once, but twice during the interview. First, when thanking the governing body, and again when I asked her with whom she was going to celebrate the victory.

Most pros are polite and thank people after winning a tournament, but I’ve never seen a player call out specific individuals from the media the way Saso did. You can tell she has gotten to know a handful of people from the USGA and really appreciates them.

Next up we have Saso trying a whoopie pie for the first time. When Saso noticed she’d be trying it in front of about 50 people, she decided to turn around mid-interview to take a bite. Creative! She said it was good, but cut herself off after just one bite to spare her blood sugar. Later, she mentioned that she wanted a caesar salad with bacon. A gal after my own heart!

Meeting some young fans

Some players will return to the fans after their media duties to sign autographs, but Saso took things to another level on Sunday night. She signed hats and flags between the 17th green and 18th tee during her round on Sunday. Can you imagine? She’s minutes away from claiming a victory, and instead of staying completely dialed in, she took a moment to look up between holes and make a few young fans’ days.

By the time Saso finished up with interviews, it was almost 8 p.m. A handful of young fans were shouting her name, and Saso took a few minutes to introduce herself and sign autographs.

Saso even signed a kid’s cast and told her to feel better as she walked away.

Saso’s golf proved that she’s a worthy two-time major champion, but it was her behavior afterward that I’ll remember most from this week.