Qualifier Natthakritta Vongtaveelap all alone in top place after 2 rounds in Pattaya
PATTAYA: A Thai novice is all alone in top place after 2 rounds of the Honda LPGA Thailand competition– however not the exact same Thai novice as the day previously.
Natthakritta Vongtaveelap shot a blistering 7-under par to bring her two-day overall to 12 under par, helpful for a one-shot edge over Maja Stark of Sweden in the $1.7-million occasion fearuring the world’s leading females golf enthusiasts.
The 20-year-old, who made her LPGA Trip card last November however needed to play a qualifier last month to protect a location in this weekend’s tournament, had 8 birdies and one bogey at the Siam Nation Club.
However leads can alter rapidly and significantly over 4 days on the Old Course, which is understood for low ratings. The typical winning overall over the previous ten years of the Pattaya occasion is 21 under par, the LPGA notes.
” I feel thrilled to play in front of Thai (fans). This is my very first time, you understand. It’s my biggest (crowd),” Natthakritta stated after her round.
She is 2 shots ahead of a group of 5 gamers consisting of first-round co-leaders Jaravee Boonchant of Thailand and Nelly Korda of the United States at 10 under. One shot behind them is Thai veteran Pornanong Phatlum, who likewise went 7 under on the day to sign up with a huge group at 9 under.
A 33-year-old Chaiyaphum local, Pornanong has actually had a stable profession on the LPGA trip considering that 2009 with 29 top-10 surfaces however has yet to win a competition. Among her most unforgettable minutes was a runner-up surface at the Women’s British Open in 2018.
Likewise still in strong contention is world No. 4 Atthaya Thitikul, who is connected at 8 under par with world No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand.
Ko rose into the lead after 3 birdies in her very first 4 holes and she got 3 more, however she failed on the back 9 with a bogey and double bogey.
Stark, 23, was pleased with how she managed the event after getting sole ownership of 2nd location.
” I have actually been attempting to improve at dealing with nerves, however I seem like I’m going to have nerves the entire weekend, so I’m simply going to keep playing strongly anyhow,” she stated.
Nelly Korda, on the other hand, is still in a great position to win the competition that sibling Jessica won in 2018.
” It would be terrific. Still 36 holes far from that,” stated the 24-year-old.
Amongst the other Thai gamers in the field, Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn are at 4 under, Arpichaya Yubol and Wichanee Meechai are at even par, Chanettee Wannasaen is at 1 over, and Pajaree Anannarukarn and Patty Tavatanakit are at 3 over after 2 rounds.
