ROGERS, Ark. (AP) — LPGA Tour rookie Hae Ran Ryu shot one other bogey-free 7-under 64 to push her result in two strokes Saturday within the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, leaving Lexi Thompson six strokes again with a spherical left.
Ryu performed her last 9 at Pinnacle Nation Membership in 5-under 31 with birdies on Nos. 3-6 and 9. In search of her first LPGA Tour victory, the 22-year-old South Korean participant was the LPGA Q-Collection medalist final 12 months.
“It’s extra confidence … that I could make so many birdies,” Ryu stated. “This week my shot is so excellent.”
A stroke again after a gap 65, Thompson had simply two birdies in a bogey-free 69 that left her tied for eleventh at 8 underneath. Winless since June 2019, the 11-time LPGA Tour winner is 138th within the Race to CME Globe and at risk of shedding her tour card for 2024 with out taking a profession cash exemption.
Thompson is on the leaderboard after going 3-1 in Spain final week in the US’ tie that left the cup in Europe’s palms.
Fellow tour rookie Yuna Nishimura of Japan and Hannah Inexperienced of Australia had been tied for second at 12 underneath. Nishimura shot 64, and Inexperienced had her second 65.
“It’s arduous as a result of the scoring is so low you’re feeling like if you happen to’re not underneath par early you’re actually going to fall behind,” Inexperienced stated. “Tomorrow, even when I’m a pair again, you simply by no means know what can occur. Somebody might shoot actually 10-under par and simply come from nowhere.”
Inexperienced gained the LA Championship at Wilshire Nation Membership in April for third LPGA Tour title.
Jenny Shin (66) was 11 underneath, and fellow South Korean participant Sei Younger Kim (63) was 10 underneath.
Ryu has a bogey-free streak of 52 holes.
“Little worrying at gap 8, my gap 17,” Ryu stated. “A bit awkward brief putt, however I make par.”
She noticed an image of 2008 champion Seon Hwa Lee, her brief recreation coach in South Korea, previously winners’ gallery within the clubhouse.
“I textual content some image,” Ryu stated.
Muni He of China shot a 62 to get to 7 underneath. She had 10 birdies and one bogey.
Lydia Ko, the highest-ranked participant within the area at No. 10, had a triple bogey in a 72 that left her 5 underneath. She gained the 2016 occasion and has 5 different top-10 finishes at Pinnacle Nation Membership.
Defending champion Atthaya Thitikul had a 71 to make the minimize on the quantity at 3 underneath.
Former College of Arkansas star Stacy Lewis missed the minimize with rounds of 78 and 72, days after captaining the U.S. Solheim Cup crew. She gained the match in 2007 and 2014.
