Momoko Ueda could become the fourth wire-to-wire winner on the LPGA Tour this season after carding a 68 to take a one-shot lead at 14-under in the TOTO Japan Classic.
Spin control 💯
Momoko Ueda takes back the lead in Japan
Watch now on @GolfChannel! pic.twitter.com/qIuhaznTP8
— LPGA (@LPGA) November 5, 2022
“My shots were not so good like same as yesterday. I missed a short putt, and it made me unable to play well today. Then, I talked with my caddie about today's game plan and decided to get birdies as much as possible in Par 5 holes in the back 9,” said Ueda, a winner of sixteen JLPGA titles. “I will play as one of the Japanese players tomorrow and try to be as steady as possible. Not too aggressive, not too conservative.
Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh moved into second place at 13-under after closing with a 65. It was her lowest 18-hole score on Tour since the second round of the 2019 Meijer LPGA Classic when she carded a 64.
“I hit a lot of good shots and had a couple where I hit to a foot, so always handy to do that. Putted well, so everything was working pretty well today,” said Dryburgh. “Obviously the aim is to win, but anything that happens, just go with the flow. Just do my best, and see where it ends up.”
Another one 💥
Four straight birdies and @gemmadryburgh leads by ✌️ in Japan! pic.twitter.com/ImsjDlL6Wk
— LPGA (@LPGA) November 5, 2022
Japan's Miyu Yamashita (69) lies in third place at 12-under.
South Korea's Jeongeun Lee6 (69) and Sweden's Linn Grant (67) are tied in fourth place at 10-under with Japan's Yuna Nishimura (67), Saiki Fujita (69) and Sakura Koiwai (70).
“It was good overall. I think the first nine was not where I wanted to be and kind of showed up on the last nine and put some birdies in, which made it more fun,” said Grant. “I tend to get better the more nervous I get. Like if I get in contention or I get a bit hyped up, I usually tend to hang onto that and do better.”
