Moriya and Pavarisa four off the pace at Thornberry Creek event
>> ONEIDA: Moriya Jutanugarn and Pavarisa Yoktuan fired matching fourunder 68s to stay four shots off the pace at the weather-delayed second round of the inaugural Thornberry Creek LPGA Classicic in Wisconsin.
The Thai duo were tied for fourth place along with Ashleigh Buhai (66) of South Africa and Lee Il-Hee (68) of South Korea on nine-under 135, four behind leader Katherine Kirk, who fired a career-best nine-under 63 on Friday.
Moriya’s younger sister, world No.2 Ariya Jutanugarn withdrew from the tournament with a shoulder injury, one day after struggling to a 78.
Another Thai star Pornanong Phatlum was tied 13th on seven-under 137 after a 70.
World No.32 Moriya shot a bogeyfree round, collecting four birdies on No.5, 6, 9 and 14 while Pavarisa had a rollercoaster day which included four birdies (No.2, 7, 8 and 11), an eagle (No.13) and two bogeys (No.1 and 4).
Australian Kirk, 35, finished her second round on 13-under 131. She played the back nine in seven-under 29. She eagled the par-five 13th and hit a hybrid to four feet on the 196-yard, par-three 17th for her final birdie of the day.
“My husband was up here Monday and Tuesday with me, and he said to me last night, ‘Someone could easily shoot eight under around here,’” Kirk said. “I’m just happy it was me, or nine [under], I guess.”
Kirk finished her round before a three-and-a-half-hour delay for lightning in the area.
Green, 23, birdied eight of her final 12 holes to shoot 66 and was three shots back. Sandra Gal of Germany was also 10 under through 13 holes when play was suspended because of darkness.
Chun In-Gee, the highest-ranked player remaining in the field at No.5, was five under through 12 holes. Eighth-ranked Brooke Henderson was also five under after a 68. Henderson finished runner-up to Danielle Kang in last week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.