Match-play family duel goes to younger sister
Ariya Jutanugarn won a sister showdown at the Lorena Ochoa Match Play in Mexico City, and Lydia Ko, Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr also advanced Friday.
The third-ranked Jutanugarn edged older sister Moriya 2 up in the second round.
“Today we had fun because we are sisters — and we always have fun,” Ariya said. “She plays so good. I can’t believe I beat her today because she’s so good.”
Ariya Jutanugarn will face Pernilla Lindberg in the round of 16 after never trailing against Moriya.
“We always say, ‘Just have a good day,’ ” Moriya Jutanugarn said. “We know that we both are going to try our best, play our games. We don’t try to be easy on each other. Hopefully, next time we are not on the same pool and don’t have to see each other so early in the week.”
Ko beat Jennifer Song 1 up to guarantee staying No. 1 in the world. Wie topped Laura Gonzalez Escallon 3 and 2, and Kerr defeated Jenny Shin 4 and 3.
Wie eagled the par-5 second hole for the second straight day. She made a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 11 to take a 3-up lead.
“I’m happy with how I played,” Wie said. “It was a fun but tough match. I am happy the way I’m playing, and just happy to survive.”
Wie set up a match against friend Marina Alex.
PGA Tour: In Wilmington, N.C., Billy Hurley III and Seamus Power of Ireland were atop the leaderboard after a day of wind, rain and a second round at the Wells Fargo Championship that didn’t finish.
The round started three hours late because of a violent storm that dumped nearly 2 inches of rain on Eagle Point, and 65 players were to return Saturday morning to complete the round.
Hurley had a 3-under-par 69, and Power shot 71 and joined him at 5-under 139.
Jon Rahm of Spain was among those one shot back.
Dustin Johnson, in his first tournament since his slip down the stairs that knocked him out of the Masters, was 2 over for the round, five shots behind. He was through 13 holes.
Phil Mickelson made double bogey on his last hole for a 72 and was at 143. PGA Tour Champions: Tom Lehman shot an 8-under 64 to take the first-round lead at the Insperity Invitational in The Woodlands, Texas.
Kirk Triplett and 63-year-old Jay Haas were tied for second at 67. John Daly, Mark Brooks, Russ Cochran and Paul Goydos were another shot back, and Schwab Cup leader Bernhard Langer was among a group of five players at 69.