Magnificent Moriya to meet Maguire in LPGA Match Play quarters

>> LAS VEGAS: Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn advanced to the quarter-finals of the LPGA Match Play after winning a four-way sudden death play-off at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas on Friday.

Moriya, who finished the third round on 218 after a 67 on Friday, battled it out against South Korea’s Ryu HaeRan, Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Japan’s Yuka Saso for the eight quarter-final spot.

After Ryu was eliminated at the first play-off hole following a bogey five, it was Moriya who broke the deadlock on the third play-off hole, rolling in a magnificent birdie putt from 20 feet to set up a last-eight showdown with Ireland’s Leona Maguire on Saturday.

Maguire overcame blustery conditions to fire a three-under-par 69 and advance to the quarter-finals as the top seed.

In chilly, windswept conditions, Maguire produced a birdie-birdie finish to ease into the last eight after 54 holes.

his year’s event was revamped as a hybrid tournament combining three rounds of stroke play before the top eight on the leaderboard face off in a straight knockout match play competition.

Maguire’s 69 left her with a six-under aggregate of 210, three clear of Japan’s Minami Katsu, who shot a level-par 72 to finish tied for second on three-under alongside Angel Yin and Rose Zhang of the United States.

“Going out we knew it was going to be tough, and was going to test all aspects of the game,” Maguire said of the strong winds that hit the course.

“As much of a mental challenge as anything out there. It’s a major championship golf course, and when there’s a 39-mph wind blowing and it’s swirling, you have to be even more committed.”

South Korea’s Kim Sei-Young crept into the quarter-finals with a two-over 74, struggling into the weekend after a third round that included five bogeys.

World No.1 Nelly Korda will also feature in the match play after carding a three-under-par 69 to finish on one-under through 54 holes.