South Korea’s Amy Yang carded a bogey-free 64 on Saturday to take a share of the lead at 21-under alongside Japan’s Nasa Hataoka who has held a share of the lead at the CME Group Tour Championship since Thursday.
A win on Sunday would be Hataoka’s first victory of the 2023 season and Yang’s first victory on the LPGA Tour in the United States. Hataoka is aiming to make 2023 her third consecutive season with a win on the LPGA Tour.
Yang has not made a bogey since her first hole of the tournament. She made a quick start with a birdie on the par-5 1st hole before making three more to make the turn in 32. She made four more birdies on the back nine including three in a row from the 13th to wrap up her Saturday with an eight-under round.
“You know, I’ve been hitting the ball really solid and that really gave me lots of chances out there. My putting have been working so well, and just, yeah, was just everything worked out together well,” said Yang. “I mean, I feel quite nervous being in contention, but I never thought like I have to follow the 9-under par yesterday, because golf you never know. But I did try my best just to stay like present, and when I decide to hit one shot and just commit to it and go for it.”
Hataoka had a bogey-free round of 65 on Saturday. She made her first birdie of the day on No. 2 and followed it up with another birdie on the 3rd hole then made her last birdie of the front nine on the 6th to make the turn in 33. She started the back nine with back-to-back birdies then made her last two birdies of the day on holes 14 and 17.
“I learn lots of thing this year, so I just need stay aggressive and I will do my best tomorrow,” said Hataoka. “My swing feel really comfortable. Tomorrow, I have a couple keys, so I will focus on my keys, good rhythm and good targets.”
Overnigh co-leader Alison Lee of the United States lies three shots behind Yang and Hataoka after carding a bogey-free 68 to reach 18-under. Lee seeks her first win on the LPGA Tour since joining in 2015 and would assist in breaking the record of Rolex First-Time Winners in a single season.
China’s Xiyu Lin could also break the record with a win on Sunday and lies in fourth place at 17-under.
Rounding out the top-5 spots at 16-under are Australia’s Minjee Lee (69) and China’s Ruoning Yin (69). Both players are looking to secure their third wins of the season.
