Jutanugarn hits the front once more
Ariya Jutanugarn's fantastic run of form continued on Friday as she took the 36-hole lead at the LPGA Volvik Championship.
The 20-year-old arrived in Ann Arbor having won back-to-back events, the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic and Kingsmill Championship, and quickly signalled her intentions to make it three in a row when she fired an opening 65 to sit one off the pace after the first round. She went one better on Friday.
The Thai sensation carded a second-round 68 to move to eleven-under, two clear of first round leader Christina Kim, So Yeon Ryu and Marina Alex.
Jutanugarn went bogey free at the Travis Pointe Country Club on Thursday, and she repeated the feat on Friday, notching up four birdies on the closing nine to hit the front for the third tournament running.
Should the Bangkok native claim victory this week, she will be the first player to win three straight events since Inbee Park did so in 2013.
Putting was the key for Kim in her opening 64, but the American needed 30 putts on Friday and this contributed a round of 71 which included two birdies and a bogey at the par-three 12th and left her on nine-under.
A bogey-free round of five-under par 67 saw Ryo jump into a share of second. Alex too fired a 67, the American registering six birdies and a bogey.
A group of three players that includes Brittany Lincicome are a further two shots adrift of the lead.
World number one Lydia Ko is nine shots back after consecutive rounds of 71.
Paula Creamer, Yani Tseng and Michelle Wie were among those to fail to make the weekend's running.
Latest
-
NewsGolfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European TourDP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
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.