ROGERS, Ark. (AP) — Yuna Nishimura had a big finish to her front and back nines Friday for an 8-under 63 that carried her to a one-shot lead in the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship as the LPGA Tour got back to its regular schedule following the Solheim Cup.
Nishimura, a six-time winner on the Japan LPGA now in her fourth year on the LPGA Tour, closed out the front nine at Pinnacle Country Club with three straight birdies. Even better was the finish, birdie-eagle for a one-shot lead over Yu Liu.
“I really went for the last putt. I wanted to make it so I kind of went aggressively and it went in, so I’m hoping it’s going to continue tomorrow,” Nishimura said.
Europe once again had the upper hand among the Solheim Cup players, even if there won't be a score to settle for two more years. Celine Boutier and Charley Hull each had a 65, while Lottie Woad had a 66. The eight players from Europe's winning Solheim Cup team all broke par.
Auston Kim and Andrea Lee had the top scores from the U.S. team at 67.
“I feel like you’re in bit of a downer because obviously the adrenaline, and then last week was a crash,” Hull said. “This week actually feels nice to come out on the golf course with not a whole load of nerves that the Solheim Cup produces.”
Hull also decided to change from blonde to brunette after the Solheim Cup, and she has gone from loving it to hating it to loving it again.
“I will go back to blonde hopefully just after Christmas,” she said.
The tournament is one of two 54-hole events on the LPGA schedule, leaving Saturday for Nishimura or anyone else to get some separation.
There were 25 players at 66 or lower, and 99 players in the 144-player field broke par.
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