Closing birdie puts Ariya in charge after second round

CHICAGO: Ariya Jutanugarn, targeting a third straight LPGA Tour victory, splashed a long bunker shot for a tapin birdie at the final hole to earn a twoshot lead after two rounds of the inaugural LPGA Volvik Championship in Michigan.

Ariya, who began one shot behind overnight leader Christina Kim, made nine pars on the front side, before clicking into gear after the turn to shoot 68 for an 11under 133 halfway total at Travis Pointe Country Club in Ann Arbor on Friday.

The 20yearold Thai finished with a flourish at the parfive 18th, where her second shot clattered into a grandstand but ricocheted into a greenside sand trap, from where she demonstrated her deft touch.

The closing birdie gave her some breathing room ahead of a trio equal second on nineunder 135 – Americans Kim (71) and Marina Alex (67) and Ryu Soyeon of South Korea (67).

Coming off backtoback wins at the Yokohama Tire Classic and Kingsmill Championship, Ariya played with world No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who posted her second successive 71 for 142.

The Thai said the course had firmed up since her morning round on Thursday.

The course condition, allied to her length off the tee, has prompted her not to carry a driver in her bag this week.

“I didn’t hit my iron that good but still OK and I start to make some putt on the back nine,” she told reporters.

“Today is a lot more firm than yesterday, so it’s really hard to approach on the second shot.”

Ariya is trying to become the first player to win three in a row since South Korea’s Park Inbee three years ago.

She said she was not thinking about the possibility of winning three straight, at least not yet.

“I’m really happy with it and I really enjoy golf right now.” — Reuters