Atthaya Thitikul closed eagle-birdie-birdie for a bogey-free, 10-under 61 to tie the tournament scoring record first set by So Yeon Ryu in 2017.
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The 19-year-old Thai player bested her previous best career score by two shots, her 36-hole total of 14-under 128 is also a new career-low by three shots.
“I had a really good game even yesterday, but I just didn’t make the putt that much,” said the rookie. “I hit a pretty good shot and then just keep rolling the ball, patient, and make the putt more than yesterday. I think my mind went blank and just nothing there. Just hit a shot, just tap it in, putt it in. Like totally blank. I think when I play really good golf or shoot like really low score my mindset is like blank. It’s really good to keep that blank mind for tomorrow.”
Thitikul won her first title earlier this year at the JTBC Classic after defeating Nanna Koerstz Madsen in a playoff.
“I think everyone that plays out here wants to win; I want to win as well,” said Thitikul. “Every week that we play we want to win, and just like if it’s your day, it’s your day, like I said every single time. If it’s not, then it’s not. But if I can win tomorrow, which would be my number two on the Tour, it’s going to be pretty special.”
Japan’s Yuka Saso followed up her blemish-free, first-round 64 with a bogey-free 65 and lies second at 13-under.
“Just trying to be patient and trying to play consistent, trying to have fun,” said Saso. “That’s been my mindset this week. I don’t think I’m going to change anything. Trying to have fun and learn a lot tomorrow.”
Eagle.
12-under.
Solo leader.@TheLiliaVu is rolling at the @NWAChampionship! pic.twitter.com/fGrCN9gwKD
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 24, 2022
American Lilia Vu is in contention for the second week straight after carding another 65 to reach 12-under. It’s the third time this season she’s been within five of the lead entering the final round but she has yet to win her first title.
“I feel like it was never a matter of my game or skills that were lacking. I felt like I wasn’t looking at golf in a healthy and positive way. Every shot was life or death,” said Vu. “I feel like I figured it out last year. I’m just going to go out there and have fun. I know how good I am. I’m going to try my best, and whatever happens, happens. Taking that mindset into this year has helped me as well.”
