Beck takes two-stroke lead
Laetitia Beck fired a seven-under-par 65 to claim a two-shot lead at the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic on Thursday.
Beck is followed by Minjee Lee and Annie Park, who both carded five-under-par 67s, while Alejandra Llaneza recorded a four-under-par 68.
Meanwhile, defending champion Kris Tamulis is 11 strokes adrift of the lead in a tie for 103rd.
Beck, who is the first Israeli golfer to qualify for the LPGA Tour, had a lot of success on her front nine as she made four birdies, including three in a row from the 16th to 18th. She maintained her form on her back nine and made three more birdies to complete a bogey-free round and take the outright lead.
Lee, who missed the cut at the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout last week, began her round with a bogey at the 12th, but bounced back with four consecutive birdies from the 13th to 16th. Despite faltering with another bogey at the 18th, the Australian atoned for her mistake with three birdies on her back nine.
Park was in superb form early on as she made five birdies on her first seven holes before cooling off with a bogey at the eighth. While she did not have as much success on the back nine, where she made two birdies and a bogey, she is still within touching distance of Beck.
Meanwhile, Tamulis had a day to forget as she carded a four-over-par 76, which consisted of five bogeys and a birdie.
Latest
-
NewsRory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The OpenR&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick turns to other major winners for advice on dealing with fame
Fitzpatrick won the US Open on Sunday.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Koepka’s brother Chase played in the opening event at Centurion Club earlier this month.
-
US OpenGary Player urges Matt Fitzpatrick to avoid ‘poison’ of modern-day coaching
Player tells US Open champion Fitzpatrick to learn from mistakes of recent major winners, saying: “The teaching today is the worst it has ever been.”
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster ready for ‘long party’ after US Open win
Foster won his first major after a 40-year career which includes spells working for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick backed to become a dominant force after winning first major
The Englishman claimed his first major title at Brookline.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick: A Blade with plenty of support who can really cut it
The Sheffield golfer landed his first major – and first professional win in America – at Brookline on Sunday.
-
US OpenMixed emotions for Rory McIlroy after US Open disappointment
McIlroy finished joint fifth at Brookline.
-
US OpenGolfing world and beyond react to Matt Fitzpatrick’s US Open victory
The 27-year-old held off Will Zalatoris and world number one Scottie Scheffler to win by one stroke at Brookline.