First-round co-leaders Nasa Hataoka and Su Oh continued their bogey-free play on Friday at the Honda LPGA Thailand, carding matching 65s on Siam Country Club Pattaya’s Old Course. The duo maintained their spots atop the leaderboard at -16, tying the tournament’s 36-hole scoring record of 128 set by Jessica Korda in 2018 and matched by Patty Tavatanakit in 2021.
Oh not only matched the tournament scoring record, she shattered her personal best 36-hole mark, previously a 132 she shot twice in 2021. With a tap-in eagle on the final hole, the 25-year-old Australian jumped to the head of the field and will take a 36-hole co-lead into the weekend for the first time in her LPGA Tour career.
“My ball striking wasn't like, the impact wasn't very good today. I was just kind of scrambling really well out there,” said Oh, who won the Australian WPGA Championship in January. “I was like, come on, you want to hit some good shots before going into tomorrow. Such a long day, so I don't think I would want to hit balls after.”
Moments after Oh’s eagle to take the lead, Hataoka birdied No. 18 to tie Oh at -16. “Today’s tee shot, a little bit right and left couple holes, but good second shot from the rough to get to the green,” said the Japanese star, who also set a 36-hole personal best.
France’s Celine Boutier, a player of Thai descent with family in the gallery at Siam Country Club, and Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen are tied for third at -15. China’s Xiyu Lin rounds out the top five at -14, with American Jennifer Kupcho and Canada’s Brooke Henderson tied for sixth at -12.
Defending Honda LPGA Thailand winner Ariya Jutanugarn bounced back from a first-round 74 with a 4-under 66 on Friday. She enters the weekend tied for 48th at -4 overall, 12 strokes off the lead.
Play was suspended at 2:05 p.m. due to lightning in the area and resumed at 3:47 p.m. All players finished their rounds.
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