Yin, Jeeno and Moriya on Heels of Leader Iwai at Honda LPGA Thailand
(Chonburi, Thailand – 21 February 2025) – Japan’s Akie Iwai withstood thrilling birdie blitzes from American Angel Yin and home favourites Jeeno Thitikul and Moriya Jutanugarn to maintain a red-hot pace at the half-way stage of the Honda LPGA Thailand.
LPGA Tour rookie Iwai followed up her brilliant opening 62 with a rock-solid five-under-par 67 at Siam Country Club’s Old Course, leaving her one shot off the tournament’s 36-hole scoring record.
Nonetheless, with a two-round aggregate of 15-under 129, the Japanese takes a two-stroke lead into the weekend from Yin. Jeeno and Moriya are a further shot back in a share of third place.
Not even the lingering presence of menacing clouds could dry up the plentiful supply of birdies in the US$1.7 million (about 60 million baht) showpiece with 24 players bettering 70 and no fewer than 44 breaking the par of 72.
World number two Jeeno had no hangover from her muted 22nd birthday celebrations on Thursday as she snared nine birdies en route to a 64, that might easily have been several strokes better.
“After the first round, I went back to the hotel and slept right away. I need more sleep, I need to rest,” said the Thai, who was cheered throughout her round by red and blue-shirted members of the self-proclaimed ‘Jeeno Thitikul Fan Group’.
Having ended her first round with four successive birdies, Jeeno added five more in her first six holes of round two. A lip out for birdie at nine meant she turned in 30 with makeable opportunities slipping past the cup at 11 and 12. Those misses were compounded when she short-sided herself with an under-hit approach and made bogey at the par-four 13th for the second day in a row.
Once more, though, she delighted her fans by producing a strong finish, holing tricky birdie putts on 17 and 18 to stay very much in contention.
“I just wanted to keep the momentum going and the positive ending seemed similar to yesterday (round one),” said Jeeno, who’s enthused about challenging for her first Honda LPGA Thailand title over the weekend.
She said: “I’m super excited. I’ve been super excited since I got here this week and excited to play in front of the spectators. I just want to make sure they are happy and enjoying watching us.”
For her part, 22-year-old Iwai showed no signs of nerves or any indication of backing down as she stayed flawless for the second day in succession.
Bidding to become only the second Japanese winner of the Honda LPGA Thailand after Ai Miyazato in 2010, Iwai looked in complete control in a round made up of five birdies and 13 pars.
The only mild disappointment for the big-hitting Iwai, who is playing here as a sponsor invite, was her failure to make birdies at the 10th and 18th, the two par-fives on the back nine.
“My distance control was good and gave me birdie chances,” said the six-time winner on the Japan LPGA Tour, who is determined to continue focusing on the process over the weekend.
“I don’t worry about the result. I’ll just keep going and stick with my game plan. I’ll stay focused on my golf until the final hole is finished,” said Iwai, who will tee-off alongside Yin and Jeeno in the final flight at 10.17 am this morning (Saturday).
Yin matched Jeeno’s performance with nine birdies and a solitary bogey at the par-five seventh.
“The putts started dropping in. I had opportunities at the start of the round but didn’t capitalise … then putts just started pouring in. It’s a very gettable golf course, but at the same time very challenging,” said the 26-year-old, whose sole LPGA Tour win came in the Buick LPGA Shanghai in 2023.
With soft greens contributing to the low scoring, American Auston Kim and Japan’s Chisato Iwai, Akie’s twin sister, both returned 65s, while Moriya was one of five players to card 66s.
“Making some putts is always helpful,” said 30-year-old Moriya. “I’m just trying do what I want to do, and stay committed. I’ve been working on a lot of stuff and want to make sure I am trusting that.”
Chanettee Wannasaen fired a 68 but was left to rue an unfortunate final-hole double-bogey seven when her ball span back from the sloping green into a sandy divot from where she took a further four strokes to get down. It was the only blemish on the card of the two-time LPGA Tour winner and leaves her in joint sixth place on eight-under 136.
Ariya Jutanugarn and Patty Tavatanakit, the only two Thais to have won the Honda LPGA Thailand, are among 13 players in equal 15th place on five-under 139. Defending champion Patty added a 68 to her opening 71, while Ariya, victorious in 2021, posted a 69.
Teenager Pimpisa Rubrong, winner of the Honda LPGA Thailand Qualifier, had a 71. With a two-day tally of even-par 144 she is three strokes behind American Gianna Clemente, the only other amateur in the field.
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