FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Ariya climbs leader board in third comeback tournament

Ariya climbs leader board in third comeback tournament

A resurgent Ariya Jutanugarn carded a solid 67 to move into fourth spot, five behind the leader, after the third round of the US$500,000 Mission Hills World Ladies Championships at the par-73 6,206 yard Mission Hills Hainan's Blackstone Course in China ye

In her third comeback tournament after an eight-month lay-off, the 19-year-old Thai sank five birdies plus an eagle on the second hole against a lone birdie on the 10th for a three-day total of 13-under-par 206. The lead was shared by world No 1 In Bee Park of South Korea and No 2 Suzann Pettersen, both on 18-under-par 201.
“I feel more confident and feel like my momentum is coming back,” said the teenager, who had been sidelined since August last year with a shoulder injury. She resumed tournament play in Australia last month and then entered the Honda LPGA Thailand but was still rusty and suffered dismal results.
“Although I didn’t drive well, my irons and putting were okay,” added Ariya, who hoped to finish in the top five today.
“It will give me a good boost if I can finish top five in this tournament. I just have to play one shot at a time and shoot low scores.”
Park reaped a total of 11 birdies including five straight from the 10th to the 14th for an error-free 62. She moved from eighth on Friday to the join overnight leader Pettersen, who fired a 66. At lone third was South Korean Ye Na Chung who hit a 68 for a total 14-under-par 205.
 
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