Hur maintains edge, sisters Ariya, Moriya tied for 9th in China
BEIJING: Hur Mi-Jung birdied the par-5 18th hole for a six-under 67 and a one-stroke lead over Brooke Henderson yesterday in the Reignwood LPGA Classic.
Hur was five under on the back nine at Reignwood Pine Valley to take a 20-under 199 total into the final round of the Asian Swing opener. The 26-year-old South Korean player had a bogey-free round after shooting a tournament-record 63 on Friday for a share of the second-round lead with Henderson.
“On the back nine, just everything works really well,” said Hur, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour. “Front nine, I think it’s all about the putter. Didn’t work on the front nine, but works on the back nine.”
The fourth-ranked Henderson shot a 68, saving par on 18 for a bogeyfree day.
“I think the winner tomorrow is going to shoot a really low score,” the 19-year-old Canadian said. “I don’t think anybody is going to run away with it, necessarily. I think it’ll be really tight right down until the end. So making lots of birdies and playing smart all the way around.”
Planning to play all six weeks in Asia, she has two victories this year, winning the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June for her first major and successfully defending her Cambia Portland Classic title in July.
“Five under is a solid round for me and I’m happy with that,” Henderson said. “I would’ve liked to have finished with a few more birdies.”
Second-ranked Ariya Jutanugarn was tied for ninth at 10 under after a 69. The 20-year-old Thai player has a tour-high five victories and would take the player of the year points lead from idle Lydia Ko with a ninth-place finish or better.
Older sister Moriya Jutanugarn, winless on the tour, also was 10 under after a 69.