Ariya on the threshold of history

Teen sensation is leader by 3 at Honda LPGA

Up-and-coming Ariya Jutanugarn stands on the threshold of writing golf history as the first Thai woman to hold an LPGA trophy if she hangs onto her lead after taking a three-shot advantage in the Honda LPGA Thailand yesterday.

The teenager, who was nine-under par and three behind leader Stacy Lewis at the start of the third round, caused a stir at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course by taking the lead from the American world No 3, firing a 70 for 11-under 205.

The most promising Thai, at times, appeared mature way beyond her 17 years of age, firing five successive birdies from the 10th to 14th holes for a total of seven birdies, but then looked hasty and impatient like all those teenagers in shopping malls, committing two finishing bogeys. Earlier she had a double bogey on the ninth.

But a disastrous round of 76 by Lewis, whose putting touch deserted her all day, meant Ariya finished with a three stroke advantage over the American, and ahead of five time major champion Se Ri Pak of Korea, who fired a 71, and world No 53 Beatriz Recari of Spain, who shot even par.

"I made three easy bogeys and should have shot lower than 70. I was not confident with my chips and went too much for my shots. However, Stacy did not play her best game today and my score was not bad," said the 2010 amateur champion in the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Ariya, who is playing in the LPGA tour as a pro for the first time and also leading a pro event for the first time, said being on top of the leaderboard would not affect her game.

"I have nothing to worry about. I have a game plan and have to focus on it. I will try to correct my mistakes, like working on my chips," said the local teenager, who is aiming to become the first Thai player to win an LPGA tournament.

"I went into the course today with plenty of pressure. There were so many fans who came to see me. Not only my family but also the entire country was hoping that I do well. When I heard their claps, I got inspired," said the Thai prodigy.

After committing three finishing bogeys for a total of six bogeys yesterday, the error-prone Lewis threw her putter in frustration and left the green, refusing to make any comments.

She completely lost her lead earlier when Ariya hit her third straight birdie on the 12th, and from then on the American never seemed to recover.

Spaniard Recari swapped five birdies against five bogeys to settle with an even par. She has a chance to win her second career title after the maiden one at the 2010 CVS/ Pharmacy LPGA Challenge.

"I would love to be in the first spot but definitely we can reach it. So I'm pretty confident for tomorrow and in a good position. Well, I think it's just going to be a matter of making putts and not making too many silly mistakes," said the Florida-based player, who turned pro in 2010.

A stroke behind was world No 4 In-bee Park of Korea, who shot a total 209 for lone fifth. At joint sixth were American Lizette Salas and Korean Ryu So-yoen, both with a 210. World No 2 Choi Na-yeon of Korea, China's Feng Shanshan and American Gerina Piller followed a stroke behind with 211.

World No 1 and last year's winner Tseng Yani of Taiwan hit a square par for a 215. She was at joint 24th along with 2006 winner Han Hee-won of Korea, 2007 winner Suzann Pettersen of Norway and American Paula Creamer.

Pornanong Phatlum hit an even par for a total 217, which placed her at tied 34th, four shots ahead of amateur Suppamas Sangchan. Moriya Jutanugarn, with three double bogeys, hit a disastrous 79 for a total 227, while Numa Gulyanamitta shot an 81 for a total 229.

Latest stories in this category

• Ariya on the threshold of history


• Teen sensation is leader by 3 at Honda LPGA


• Chawalit grabs lead on windy day


• Competence of Worawi at stake in the scandal

We Recommend

• Four US marines hurt in helicopter crash


• Four US marines taking part in the Cobra Gold..


• Vatican sex and graft scandals pushed pope to..


• Bookship drops anchor in Bangkok

Comments conditions

Users are solely responsible for their comments.We reserve the right to remove any comment and revoke posting rights for any reason withou prior notice.

Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/02/24/ariya-on-the-threshold-of-history/