ONEIDA, Wisconsin: Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand fired eight birdies on Friday to move within two strokes of leader Park Sung-hyun heading into the weekend at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.
Park, whose victory last week in Arkansas returned her to the top of the world rankings, twice ran off four straight birdies for a 10-under 62 to break the tournament’s 36-hole scoring record.
One shot behind the leader is American Yealimi Noh, who began her week simply trying to qualify for the event. And now she goes into the weekend paired with the No.1 player in women’s golf.
Ariya, who has slipped from top spot to ninth in the rankings and is still seeking her first victory of the year, shot a 64 and suggested that a course giving up so many low scores — the cut was at 5-under 139 — might be what makes it difficult.
“Actually, I feel like it’s really tough for me because I felt that on every hole, everybody has the chance to make birdie,” she said.
Park made so many birdies that she lost track.
Starting with the par-5 13th hole, she ran off four straight birdies. She closed out her round on the front nine with four straight birdies.
“I made four birdies in a row twice today. I honestly didn’t know,” Park said through a translator. “When I was 8 under today, I thought I was 7 under.”
Mina Harigae (63) and Tiffany Joh (66) were at 14-under 130, while Shanshan Feng of China had a 67 and was four shots off the lead.
Among the other Thai contenders, Moriya Jutanugarn was at 10 under par and Pornanong Phatlum was at 8 under, alongside second-year player Mind Muangkhumsakul.
