Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn fired a career-best nine-under 63 on Saturday to take a three-shot lead after the third round of the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic in Prattville, Alabama.
Ariya caught fire on the back nine, making birdie on eight of nine holes to reach a total of 14-under 202 on the Robert Trent Golf Trail course.
“A little bit excited,” Ariya said. “Tomorrow [yesterday] is going to be so much fun. I just want to enjoy it and have fun.”
Photo: AFP
The Thai had a three-shot lead over Australia’s Minjee Lee and American Ryann O’Toole, who both carded 68 for 205.
Overnight leader Ryu So-yeon of South Korea carded a 71 and was alone in fourth on 206, one shot in front of Americans Stacy Lewis (68) and Morgan Pressel (70).
Kaohsiung-born Candie Kung was tied for 20th place on five-under after a 70, while Taiwan’s Min Lee was a shot further back tied for 24th after carding a 68.
Ariya is hoping to finally break through and pick up her first US Tour victory. She has twice held 54-hole leads, but failed to convert those into victories.
Earlier this season at the ANA Inspiration, the first major of the year, she led by two shots with three to play in the final round, but bogeyed her final three holes to lose to Lydia Ko.
On Saturday her only back-nine par came on the 15th hole.
Her storming finish came after a shaky start that included a bogey on the par-three second. However, she rebounded with birdies at five and eight.
“After I made a birdie on 10 I felt better, because I missed a few putts on the front nine,” she said.
First-round leader Laetitia Beck started her day three strokes back of Ryu and remained in the hunt with a two-under-par 70.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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