Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Ryu Hae-ran shook off a slow start with an eagle and four birdies in a five-under par 67 on Friday that gave her a two-stroke lead midway through the LPGA Black Desert Championship in Utah. Ryu started the day with a one-shot lead after a bogey-free nine-under opening round. She struggled to get going, dropping a shot before back-to-back birdies at the fifth and sixth and an eagle at the par-five ninth. She added two more birdies coming in for a five-under par 67 and a 14-under total of 130.
“Yesterday was so amazing for me, but today started a little bit tough,” she said. “But I just wait for my first birdie and I made a chip-in and it’s an amazing birdie. Then today is a good day again because I got an eagle and a chip-in birdie — lots of things today that were good for me.”
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Ryu has wasted no time in contending after a disappointing finish in the first major of the year last week. She shared the 54-hole lead at the Chevron Championship but faded on Sunday and missed out on the five-woman playoff won by Japan’s Mao Saigo. Playing a new course for the LPGA, she is focusing on managing the course and the conditions as she chases her third victory after one win each in 2023 and 2024.
“Maybe tomorrow and final round I think will be a little bit windier than the first two rounds. I think here it’s a little bit narrow because there are a lot of rocks outside the fairway. I’m just thinking more about keeping (in) the fairway and keeping (on) the green — just waiting for the chance,” she said.
Ryu had a two-shot lead over compatriot Lee So-mi, who had six birdies in her second straight 66 for 132. It’s the second time this season Lee has opened with two rounds in the 60s, and she was one stroke in front of Germany’s Esther Henseleit and South Korean Joo Soo-bin, who both carded 68s for 133.
Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, who started the day one off the lead, had four birdies and a double-bogey in her two-under 70 that left her tied for fifth on 134 with Taiwan’s Hsu Wei-Ling, who also posted a 70. Ariya said conditions were tougher as the winds picked up in the afternoon, and she wasn’t discouraged after “one bad shot” off the tee at the par-four second — her 11th hole of the day — led to a double-bogey. “I just keep doing what I’m doing,” said Ariya, who bounced back with birdies at the fourth and seventh.
© 2024 AFP
