Moriya in share of second behind record-breaker Ryu
ROGERS: Moriya Jutanugarn followed her opening-round 66 with a six-under 65 to move into joint second place heading into the final round of the NW Arkansas Championship on Saturday.
The Thai world No.39, who was tied with American Stacy Lewis on 11-under 131, was five shots behind leader Ryu So-Yeon who fired a tournament record 10-under 61 at Pinnacle Country Club.
Moriya shot seven birdies (Nos.3, 4,5, 9, 10, 12 and 14) against one bogey (No.6) while Lewis, who also had seven birdies against one bogey on Saturday, capped her round with back-to-back birdies at the parthree 17th and par-five 18th.
Moriya’s compatriot Pornanong Phatlum (69) was among a group of 10 players, including first-round leader Park SungHyun (73), tying for 10th on six-under 136, one stroke ahead of defending champion Lydia Ko (67).
World No.3 Ryu, who is bidding for her second LPGA Tour title this year and fourth of her career, also established the 36-hole record at the tournament.
South Korean’s Amy Yang shot a 65 to sit in fourth place at 10 under, one stroke ahead of the four-way contingent of countrywoman Park In-Bee (65), Australian Lee Min-Jee (65), Indian Aditi Ashok (64) and Norwegian Suzann Pettersen (66).
PANNAKORN WINS IN TAIWAN
Pannakorn Uthaipas gave himself the perfect birthday gift by securing a three-shot victory for his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the US$160,000 Taifong Open in Changhwa, Taiwan yesterday.
The Thai, who turns 27 in three days, overcame a shaky start where he traded two birdies against two bogeys in his opening five holes with three birdies on his way home for a three-under-par 69 and a winning total of 13-under 275.
Local hero Lin Wen-tang held a one-shot lead after nine but an errant tee shot on 14 saw his title hopes dashed as he stumbled with a double-bogey. He bounced back with a birdie on the last to share second place with Australia’s Marcus Both (68) and Gunn Charoenkul (69) of Thailand.
LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES
(Par-71, USA unless noted)
126 — Ryu So-Yeon (KOR) 65-61
131 — Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 66-65, Stacy Lewis 66-65
133 — Amy Yang (KOR) 68-65
134 — Aditi Ashok (IND) 70-64, Park In-Bee (KOR) 69-65, Lee Min-Jee (AUS) 69-65, Suzann Pettersen (NOR) 68-66