Five-under Moriya 3 off the pace at Volunteers
>> THE COLONY: Moriya Jutanugarn shot a five-under-par 66 to stay three shots off the lead in the opening round of the LPGA Volunteers of America Classic on Thursday.
The Thai was tied for fourth with American Cheyenne Knight and Liu Ruixin of China at the Old American Golf Club in Texas.
They were three strokes behind leader Stephanie Meadow of Northern Ireland who fired a 63.
American duo Amy Olson and Dori Carter were joint second on 65.
Moriya, who is chasing her second LPGA title, was two shots ahead of her sister Ariya and compatriots Jasmine Suwannapura, Pornanong Phatlum and PK Kongkraphan.
Meadow, 27, reeled off five consecutive birdies from the second hole in a bogey-free round.
“A little bit of putting and a little bit of really good ball-striking,” said Meadow, who led Alabama to a US women’s college golf crown in 2012.
“It’s been a while since I’ve put five in a row, which is fun. You know, you don’t want to stop after three, you want to keep going.”
Her career-low round was a bright spot in what has been a difficult year for Meadow.
She gained full LPGA Tour status for 2019 by finishing in the top 10 on the Symetra Tour’s Race to the Card but has made just nine cuts in 20 starts and is again facing a trip to the qualifying series.
“Honestly, I know I need a big week this week, so whatever I score today didn’t really matter, I’m just trying to get to the end goal,” Meadow said.
Olson made seven birdies and a bogey for a solid start.
“I just didn’t get myself into any trouble and made quite a few putts,” Olson said. “If the putter is working that’s always fun.”
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
(par-71, USA unless noted)
63 — Stephanie Meadow (NIR)
65 — Amy Olson, Dori Carter
66 — Cheyenne Knight, Liu Ruixin (CHN), Moriya Jutanugarn (THA)
Selected scores
68 — Ariya Jutanugarn (THA), Jasmine Suwannapura (THA), Pornanong Phatlum (THA), PK Kongkraphan (THA)