Another teenage sensation is making waves on the LPGA Tour. Ariya Jutanugarn fired a beautiful eight-under par 64 to take a one-shot lead at the LPGA Lotte Championship in Hawaii.
Ariya is in her rookie season on the Ladies European Tour (LET) and she won the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco last month on that tour.
Ariya and her sister Moriya dominated the amateur women’s game for the past few years. They both turned professional this year with Moriya qualifying for the LPGA Tour and Ariya playing in Europe.
Ariya did play in her home country of Thailand in the Honda LPGA Thailand in February and nearly pulled off a win. After taking a lead into the final round she posted an even-par 72 on Sunday and finished second to Inbee Park who shot a final round 67.
A win in Hawaii this week would allow Ariya to join her sister on the LPGA Tour.
Suzann Pettersen is only one shot behind the leader and has been playing excellent golf this year. She won an event on the LET in China in March and has one top-10 finish on the LPGA.
Stacy Lewis fell to No. 2 in the Rolex Rankings last week even though the LPGA had an off week. She posted a five-under par 67 and is three shots back.
Inbee Park passed Lewis for the No. 1 ranking last week and shot a first-round two-under par 70.
Michelle Wie, playing a home game this week in her home state, shot two-under par 70 and still looks uncomfortable on the greens.
Both Inbee Park and Lewis have passed former world No. 1, Yani Tseng, in the Rolex Rankings. Tseng has struggled since this time last year. She shot a one-under par 71 and is at T-52.
70 players and ties will make the cut for the LPGA Lotte Championship this weekend. There are currently 77 players at one-under par or better.