Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, Sung Yu-jin share lead at LPGA Lotte Championship
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Thailand’s Natthakritta Vongtaveelap carded four birdies and two bogeys at Hoakalei Country Club in Hawaii, on April 13, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP
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LOS ANGELES – Thai rookie Natthakritta Vongtaveelap fired a two-under 70 to hold on to a share of the lead alongside South Korea’s Sung Yu-jin at the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship in Hawaii on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Natthakritta, who turned professional only in November, mixed four birdies with two bogeys in windy conditions at Hoakalei Country Club to take a one-shot lead with Sung.
“Today my round was not really good, but okay,” Natthakritta said. “But total result is good.”
She said she did not practise putting before the round. “I would blame myself,” the Thai added.
Sung shot a second consecutive four-under 68 to reach the halfway stage at eight-under 136 for the tournament.
“It was a really windy day today and then just physical condition-wise I’m still getting used to the jet lag, so it was tough,” said Sung, who is on a sponsor’s exemption.
“Fortunately, the wind direction was the same as yesterday, so it was easy to adjust.”
Georgia Hall and Sweden’s Linnea Strom were tied for third on seven under, one shot off the leaders.
Hall was the day’s biggest mover with a flawless 66 that included six birdies. The Englishwoman was hoping to build on consecutive runner-up finishes in recent tournaments with a victory.
The 27-year-old was a runner-up at the Los Angeles Open earlier in April and was pipped in a play-off for the Drive On Championship crown in March.
“It’s just hard work over the past year and a half,” Hall said of her hot streak. “To be honest, it’s all coming together and I feel very mentally confident and calm when I’m out there. Very patient as well.”
Australia’s Grace Kim (67), American Christina Kim (67) and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka (70) shared fifth place on 138.
Sweden’s Frida Kinhult, the first-round co-leader, tumbled down the leaderboard after a four-over 76 left her six off the pace.
Defending champion Kim Hyo-joo of South Korea, who opened with a 68, just made the cut after stumbling to a 78. AFP, REUTERS
