Bogey-free Suzuki goes three shots clear, birthday girl Lopez gets into contention
>> SHIGA: Local favourite Ai Suzuki shot a bogey-free seven-underpar 65 to take a three-stroke lead after the second round of the LPGA Japan Classic yesterday.
Suzuki had seven birdies at the par-72 Seta Golf Course for a 12-under 132 total. Mexico’s Gaby Lopez shot a 67 and was in second place in the final event of the LPGA Tour’s Asia Swing.
“I have to shoot more than three under to win the tournament,” Suzuki said.
“Usually winner scores low. Especially this week with this course, I think I have to play and score five to six under. That will be my target score on the final day.”
Lopez celebrated her 26th birthday with a birdie-birdie finish to secure a position in the final grouping today.
“Having a birthday present with, you know, good couple of putts out there,” Lopez said.
“It’s key to be below the hole on every single green,” she added. “Everything slopes back to front. The more you are putting uphill the more aggressive you can be.”
Australian Hannah Green, who held a share of the lead with Suzuki after the opening round on Friday, shot a 69 and was tied for third with South Korea’s Kim Hyo-Joo (68).
“The back end of the round I felt a lot more confident and I pushed myself to make sure I finished under par,” said Green who had three birdies on the back nine.
“It was nice to finish birdiebirdie today because I didn’t do that yesterday.”
Defending champion Nasa Hataoka of Japan struggled with her game and finished with a 76 that included five bogeys and a double bogey, after an openinground 71.
American Lexi Thompson, making her first start since the Indy Women in Tech Championship in September, shot a 68 to move up the leaderboard after a first-round 74 and was 10 strokes behind Suzuki.