Honda LPGA Thailand Day 2: 7 Under Par, Titikul 2nd, Mason 3rd, Park Hee-young and Jutanugarn Tied 7th
Yang Hee-young is teeing off on the second day of the Honda LPGA Thailand. Chonburi, Thailand ? Photo by Getty Images/Multibits
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the leap of Yang Hee-young (32, Woori Financial Group).
On the 7th, at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course (Par 72, 6,576 yards) in Chonburi, Thailand, during the second day of the LPGA Tour Honda LPGA Thailand (total prize money $1.6 million), she surged with a 7-under-par round to jump to a tie for 7th place (10-under-par 134). 'Super rookie' Patty Tavatanakit leads (16-under-par 128), Atthaya Thitikul (both from Thailand) is in 2nd place (13-under-par 131), and Caroline Masson (Germany) is in 3rd place (12-under-par 132).
Yang Hee-young started tied for 20th, 5 strokes behind, and swept up 7 birdies without any bogeys. In the front nine, she warmed up with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 4 and 6, then on the back nine, she made consecutive birdies on holes 10 and 11, 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 13 and 15, and added another birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5). Her green hit rate was 88.8%, and her 27 putts during the round were outstanding. She is 6 strokes behind the leader, still in a position to aim for her 4th tournament win following 2015, 2017, and 2019.
Patty Tavatanakit is making an approach shot on the second day of the Honda LPGA Thailand. Chonburi (Thailand) = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images
Tavatanakit posted a daily best 8-under-par to maintain her position at the top of the leaderboard for the second consecutive day (16-under-par 128). This is her second win of the season following last month's major ANA Inspiration victory. Thitikul also took advantage of the 'home course' by reducing 5 strokes. Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Gaby Lopez (Mexico), and Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Denmark) are tied for 4th place (11-under-par 133), while Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) is tied for 7th, looking for a comeback.
From Korea, Park Hee-young (34, Isu Group) is performing well, tied for 7th after reducing 6 strokes. Ji Eun-hee (35, Hanwha Q CELLS) and Choi Woon-jung (31, Volvik) are tied for 14th (7-under-par 137), while Lee Jeong-eun 6 (25, Daebang Construction), Yoo So-yeon (31, Mediheal), and Lee Mi-rim (31, NH Investment & Securities) are tied for 21st (5-under-par 139), expecting to rise in the rankings. Last week's HSBC Women's winner Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte) and Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group) are tied for 28th (4-under-par 140).
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
