Jutanugarn takes LPGA Tour lead in Alabama with birdie run
PRATTVILLE, Ala. (AP) Ariya Jutanugarn birdied eight of the final nine holes Saturday to match the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic record at 9-under 63 and take a three-stroke lead.
Seeking her first LPGA Tour victory, the 20-year-old Thai player had a 14-under 202 total.
Ryann O'Toole and Australia's Minjee Lee were tied for second. They each shot 68.
Jutanugarn parred No. 15, the only blemish in her back-nine birdie run on the links-style Senator Course at Capitol Hill. She pulled her approach left on No. 17 and still knocked it within a couple of feet of the hole, and closed with a 5-footer for yet another birdie.
Jutanugarn has had two final-round collapses. Last month in the ANA Inspiration, she had a two-stroke lead with three holes left and closed with three bogeys to finish fourth - two strokes behind winner Lydia Ko in the major championship. In the 2013 LPGA Thailand at age 17, Jutanugarn blew a two-stroke lead with a closing triple bogey in a one-stroke loss to Inbee Park.
Second-round leader So Yeon Ryu was four strokes back after a 71.