South Korea's Hwang charges into Hawaii LPGA lead / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
-
Aston Villa Defy History With Rare Victory at Old Trafford
-
Govt to Accept ECMS Applications on Rolling Basis from July 2027
-
Democrats Face Criticism Over Social Security Reform Plans Amid Trust Fund Crisis
-
Stabbing Reported at Jamie Foxx’s Annual Halloween Party in Thousand Oaks
-
Nick Harkaway Expands John le Carré’s Spy Universe in 'The Taper Man'
-
Binance CFO Kaiser Ng Departs Amid Aftermath of $6.3 Billion Hack
-
Rene Eyre Revisits Autobiographical Performance 'Say A Little Prayer' in London
-
London Museum Granted 24/7 License Ahead of November Opening
-
UAE's HCT Holds Record Graduation and Announces Major Training Expansion
-
Dana White Confirms Flight to Washington for Trump Meeting on Press Secretary Role
-
NASA Awards $10B Lunar Contract Framework to SpaceX, Blue Origin
-
Dengue Fever Expands Into High Himalayas as Climate Change Warms Nepal
-
Katy Perry Tells Fans Ex-Husband Russell Brand 'Should Be in Jail' During UK Concert
-
IoT Refrigerator Hacks Disrupt Blood Labs and Supermarkets Across Europe and US
South Korea's Hwang charges into Hawaii LPGA lead
South Korean Hwang You-min fired a career-best 10-under-par 62 to surge into a three-stroke lead on Thursday after 36 holes in the LPGA Lotte Championship in Hawaii.
Hwang, a 22-year-old playing on a sponsor's invitation, posted the best round in the tournament since it moved to Hoakalei Country Club four years ago, building a 15-under-par total of 129.
Playing in the final group off the first tee, she opened eagle-birdie and after a bogey at the fourth grabbed eight more birdies the rest of the way.
That included four in her last five holes as she powered past overnight leader Akie Iwai of Japan and American Jessica Porvasnik, who were tied for second on 132.
Iwai carded a four-under 68 and Porvasnik shot 65. They were two strokes in front of Australian Gabriela Ruffels and Japan's Nasa Hataoka, who both shot 69 for 134.
"First of all I broke my life-best score," Hwang said. "So at the same time I broke the course record, so I feel very good.
"Tee to green, especially my iron shot was perfect. I just felt right for every club I play for the second shot as well.
"My putting I thought was perfect."
Hwang is teeing it up in the event for the third time, but said she's feeling a little more pressure as she prepares to tackle LPGA Tour qualifying.
"I feel nervous, at the same time very excited," she said.
Iwai said afternoon conditions were different than those she faced in carding a Wednesday morning 64. She opened with three straight birdies and after a bogey at the fourth had just two more birdies coming in.
"I felt like a little difference, specifically on the greens," she said. "(It was) getting hard to see the line," she said.
Once again Iwai played alongside her twin sister, Chisato, who carded a 66 for a share of eighth on eight-under in a group that also included world number two Nelly Korda.
Korda, the highest-ranked player in the field, posted a five-under 67.
"I would say the main difference between today and yesterday was just the putts dropped," Korda said. "It was a little gustier out there today versus yesterday, so it was fun to play in, kind of show my creative side."
D.Schneider--BTB
