Great Lakes Bay Invitational

Jutarnugarn Sisters Fire Second 59 To Pairs Victory

Jutarnugarn Sisters Fire Second 59 To Pairs Victory

Thai sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn shot their second 11-under par 59 in best-ball play to capture the LPGA Great Lakes Bay Invitational, taking a three-stroke victory on Saturday over defending champions Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura.

Ariya, 25, and Moriya, 26, finished at 24-under 256 at windy Midland Country Club golf course in Michigan.

In the first round, they shot a 67 in the alternate shot format, then fired a 59 on Thursday in best ball and carded a 71 in alternate shot Friday to enter the final round two shots behind American Clanton and Thailand’s Suwannapura, who closed Saturday with a 64. The pair won the inaugural event in 2019 by a whopping by six strokes.

In the final round, the Jutanugarns birdied five consecutive holes from Nos. 9-13, with Ariya birdieing the last two holes to seal the tournament. This is Ariya’s 12th career LPGA title and second of the season. Her victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand on May 9 snapped a drought that dated back to July 2018. This is Moriya’s second LPGA title and her first since April 2018.

After struggling in the third round of alternate shot, Ariya told Moriya the strategy in the final round was to birdie every hole. While the support is evident, there’s also a bit of innercompetition to see who can make the most birdies each round. “Still me,” said Ariya, jabbing her older sister.

“No matter what, like she probably hit a few trees out there,” said Moriya, “but she still make a lot of birdies for me, so I forgive her. We very enjoy it.”