Moriya two shots adrift in LPGA Portland Classic
Thai shares fourth place with Shadoff and Miyazato; Chun, champion Henderson and Lewis tied on top
>> PORTLAND: Moriya Jutanugarn maintained challenge for her first LPGA title after finishing her second round just two shots off the pace at the Portland Classic on Friday.
The Thai world No.33 fired a threeunder-par 69 to tie with Jodi Ewart Shadoff of England (67) and 2010 winner Ai Miyazato of Japan (67) at joint fourth place on eightunder 136.
Moriya, who had six top-10 finishes so far this season, had four birdies on 8, 13, 16 and 18 against just one bogey on 11.
Overnight leader Chun In-Gee of South Korea shot a four-under 68 to remain on top for the second successive day.
Chun has a two-round total of 10-under 134 which left her in a three-way tie with two-time defending champion Brooke Henderson, who shot a 67, and veteran American Stacy Lewis who had a bogey-free 64.
“I really like this course. Also the spectators are so kind here,” said Chun, who has six top three results on the year.
Canada’s Henderson shot her secondstraight 67 on Friday and had the lead outright at 11 under thanks to an eagle on the 11th. But a bogey five holes later dropped her into a tie at 10 under with the other two.
“I feel like I have a solid game plan,” she said. “Any time I’m in double digits after two days I’m really happy. I will just try and continue that trend over the next two days.”
Lewis carded eight birdies and no bogeys in her round, which she considered one of her best of the year.
“My swing felt a lot better,” Lewis said. “I found something after the round yesterday. Felt like any hole I could make birdie on.”
Sitting at seven under are Kim Kaufman, Taiwan’s Candie Kung (69) and Nasa Hataoka of Japan (70). Kaufman moved up from a tie for 73rd after the first round by shooting a 65 on Friday.
Miyazato is retiring at the end of the season and this is her last official LPGA Tour event on American soil.
“I’m glad I made the decision,” she said. “I was kind struggling to make the decision last few years. Even though after I announced my retirement I’ve been really happy. I’ve been really positive about my game and trying to enjoy it as much as I can out there.”