Moriya on heels of leader Lewis at Portland Classic
PORTLAND: Moriya Jutanugarn maintained her push for her first LPGA title after trailing leader Stacy Lewis by just three strokes going into the final round of the Cambia Portland Classic on Saturday.
The world No.33 from Bangkok shot a six-under-par 66 to move to 14-under 202 while overnight co-leader Lewis ended her third round on 17 under after a 65.
Moriya was off to a fast start on Saturday, posting birdies on five of the first eight holes. She added two more on the back nine (10 and 18) while only having just one bogey on 16.
“I was feeling great,” said the 23-year-old Moriya, the sister of world No.4 Ariya, who is taking a week off.
“I have been hitting solid and [gave] myself a lot of really good chances for birdie. Make some, miss some, but it’s still pretty solid round.
Moriya had six top-10 finishes so far this season.
Lewis, who is poised to win her first tournament in three years, is donating her prize money, win or lose, to the victims of the storm known as Hurricane Harvey which has killed at least 42 people and unleashed massive flooding that damaged up to 50,000 homes in Houston.
“I have been motivated,” said Lewis. “I am more appreciative.
“You think you got it pretty tough. The people down there got it way tougher than us. It puts things in perspective.”
If Lewis can hold onto her lead she would collect the winner’s cheque of US$195,000 (approximately 6.4 million baht). If she finished second she would earn $120,000 (3.9 million baht).
Lewis moved to Houston as a youngster and her husband is the women’s golf coach at the University of Houston.
South Korea’s Chun In-Gee, who started the day in a three-way tie for the lead, had three birdies and 15 pars for a three-under 69 that left her four shots off the pace at 203.
American Brittany Altomore shot a 66 and is alone in fourth place at 205. She is one shot ahead of a trio of players, comprising Mexico’s Gaby Lopez (64), Nicole Broch Larsen (67) and Chella Choi (68). LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES (Par-72, USA unless noted)
199 — Stacy Lewis 70-64-65
202 — Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 67-69-66
203 — Chun In-Gee (KOR) 66-68-69
205 — Brittany Altomare 69-70-66
206 — Gaby Lopez (MEX) 69-73-64, Nicole Broch Larsen (DEN) 67-72-67, Chella Choi (KOR) 71-67-68