Ryu Hae-ran shook off a slow start with an eagle and four birdies in a five-under-par 67 on Friday that gave her a two-stroke lead midway through the LPGA Black Desert Championship in Utah.
Ryu started the day with a one-shot lead after a bogey-free nine-under opening round.
She struggled to get going, dropping a shot before back-to-back birdies at the 5th and 6th and an eagle at the par-five 9th. She added two more birdies coming in for a five-under-par 67 and a 14-under total of 130.
“Yesterday was so amazing for me, but today started a little bit tough,” she said. “But I just wait for my first birdie and I made a chip-in and it’s an amazing birdie.
“Then today is a good day again because I got an eagle and a chip-in birdie – lots of things today that were good for me.”
Ryu has wasted no time in contending after a disappointing finish in the first Major of the year last week. She shared the 54-hole lead at the Chevron Championship but faded on Sunday and missed out on the five-woman playoff won by Japan’s Mao Saigo.
Playing a new course for the LPGA, she is focusing on managing the course and the conditions as she chases her third victory after one win each in 2023 and 2024.
“Maybe tomorrow and final round I think will be a little bit windier than the first two rounds. I think here it’s a little bit narrow because there are a lot of rocks outside the fairway. I’m just thinking more about keeping in the fairway and keeping on the green – just waiting for the chance,” she said.
Ryu had a two-shot lead over compatriot Lee So-mi, who had six birdies in her second straight 66 for 12-under 132.
It’s the second time this season Lee has opened with two rounds in the 60s, and she was one stroke in front of Germany’s Esther Henseleit and South Korean Joo Soo-bin, who both carded 68s for 11-under 133.
Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, who started the day one off the lead, had four birdies and a double-bogey in her two-under 70 that left her tied for fifth on 10-under 134 with Taiwan’s Hsu Wei-Ling, who also posted a 70.
Ariya said conditions were tougher as the winds picked up in the afternoon, and she wasn’t discouraged after “one bad shot” off the tee at the par-four 2nd – her 11th hole of the day – led to a double-bogey.
“I just keep doing what I’m doing,” said Ariya, who bounced back with birdies at the 4th and 7th.
South Africa’s Paula Reto carded a four-under 68 with five birdies and a bogey to move up to 11th on eight-under 136.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
