Red-hot Moriya in contention for first LPGA win
Moriya Jutanugarn shot a third round 66 to trail Permilla Lindberg of Sweden by four strokes in the ANA Inspiration at the Mission Hills Country Club Rancho Mirage in California on Saturday.
Looking for her first LPGA win, Moriya recovered from back-to-back bogeys on the fourth and fifth holes to fire six birdies and settled for 10 under-par-206 to share the third spot along with Inbee park of South Korea, American Jennifer Song, Englishwomen Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Charley Hull, overnight joint leader Sung Hyun Park of South Korea and Ayako Uehara of Japan.
“I didn't hit the ball well but it was good enough to give myself a chance for birdies. It's a little bit of a roller coaster up-and-down from the start. But I just kept myself a little focused and I feel fun to be up-and-down,” said the world No 21.
“I've been in a little trouble two weeks ago, and then trying to get back to what I should feel and work on that a lot. This week actually seems like getting back to -- it's not where I was, but at least it feels better. My mind's not like everywhere on the golf course. At least I can focus better, and that's what I'm working on. Hopefully if it continues being better and better, so maybe it will come soon,” the 2013 Rookie of the Year said about her chance to have a breakthrough win on the tour.
Her younger sister Ariya, with a third round 68, followed three shots behind with a total 209, three above Pornanong Phatlum.
Thai teenage amateur Atthaya Thitikul hit a 72 for 2 under-par-214.
