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Thitikul surges into three-way lead at LPGA in Malaysia

olympicgames26 October 2024 11:40| © AFP
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Jeeno Thitikul @ X

Last year's runner-up Jeeno Thitikul shot an eight-under-par 64 on Saturday to surge into a three-way lead going into the final round of the LPGA Maybank Championship in Malaysia.

The 21-year-old Thai topped the leaderboard at 16-under at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club along with China's Yin Ruoning and Ryu Hae-ran of South Korea.

They were two shots clear of overnight leader Maja Stark of Sweden.

Thitikul, second last year after losing a nine-hole playoff shootout to Celine Boutier of France, had an eagle at the par-five third hole.

She followed up with two consecutive birdies, before capping a bogey-free third round with three birdies in the final three holes.

"I just keep trying to make birdies, birdies, birdies because this course can give you a low score. So that's all in my mind, to try to hole in the putts," said Thitikul, who is searching for a fourth LPGA crown.

Yin is firmly in the mix for a fifth LPGA win thanks to a bogey-free 66 which saw her sink six birdies in a sharp display of putting.

"I think every part of my game is pretty spot-on. I was just feeling it with my putting and I made a couple of clutch putts today, which gives me a lot of confidence going into tomorrow," said the 22-year-old.

Ryu, who has been in the mix since the first round, surged to the top after posting a bogey-free 67.

The 23-year-old shot five birdies, four of them on her front nine.

"Tomorrow I want to make some birdies in the last nine holes," the South Korean said.

Defending champion Boutier was in a tie for fifth, four shots off the lead.

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