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Moriya trips a bit, but stays in contention at US Women’s Open (nationthailand.com)

Moriya trips a bit, but stays in contention at US Women’s Open

Dec 13. 2020Moriya Jutanugarn (Photo credit to LPGA) Despite stumbling to a third-round 72, Thai hope Moriya Jutanugarn is still in contention for her maiden Major crown.

Moriya fell three shots behind Japanese leader Hinako Shibuno after round three of the US Women’s Open on Saturday.

Moriya was -2 through 13 holes and within two strokes of Shibuno’s lead. She dropped a shot at the 14th and then landed a double bogey on the 17th hole to card a one-over 72. Sitting at one-under-par 212, she will round out Sunday’s final group with Shibuno and American Amy Olson.

The day also saw one of the most interesting outside-the-ropes moments of the week. Just a few minutes after signing her card for her second consecutive 72, which puts her -1 for the championship and tied for third going into the final round, Moriya stepped up to a USGA microphone and answered a few questions from journalists.

Then to her surprise, a reporter asked, to laughs from everyone around: “How far did your sister hit it past you?” Ariya Jutanugarn had played with Moriya on Saturday at Champions Golf Club. Ariya hit one-over-par 214 overall.

“Wow,” Moriya said, joining in the laughter. “I would say 30 to 40 yards today. But I definitely think I hit more greens and maybe made a few more putts.”

That small interaction offered a glimpse into the sibling love that those who follow the Jutanugarns see almost every week.

A victory in the tournament would make Moriya the second in the family after sister Ariya to win the US Women’s Open. They would be the third sisters to win USGA championships, joining Harriot (1906) and Margaret Curtis (1907, 1911, 1912) at the US Women’s Amateur; and Hollis Stacy (1969, 1970, 1971 US Girls’ Junior; 1977, 1978, 1984 US Women’s Open) and Martha Leach (2009 US Women’s Mid-Amateur).

After starting the day with a four-stroke lead, Japan’s Shibuno carded her first over-par round of the 2020 US Women’s Open on Saturday, shooting a three-over 74 at Champions Golf Club. The 2019 AIG Women’s Open champion holds a one-stroke advantage over American Olson, whose even-par 71 moved her into solo second going into Sunday’s final round.

Shibuno carded four bogeys to just one birdie at the wet Cypress Creek Course, opening with a bogey on No. 1 and stumbling to finish with bogeys on the 14th and 18th. She said the nerves of being in the final group played a factor in her struggles on Saturday, as well as the all-too-familiar 2020 feeling of not having fans outside the ropes.

“Last year when I won the major, there was a large number of people out in front of me and because of the audience, that gave me power and also it’s easy for me to get on a momentum as well,” said Shibuno. “However, now there’s no people, no audience and it’s very difficult for me to get momentum, because when I get a run of birdies, when I get the birdie, it’s silence.”

Olson, who held the 18-hole lead following a first-round 67, nearly holed out from the fairway with an 8-iron on No. 17, taking the short birdie to cap her round and move back into the final group.

“I’m really pleased with how I played today. It was such a grind,” said Olson, who played in the final group at the 2018 ANA Inspiration and 2018 Evian Championship but came up short.

“Pars were a great score on every single hole today. Fortunately, I made a couple of good birdies, especially the one on 17 coming in. Some really solid par putts and that’s really what it comes down to, making those putts whether they’re for birdie or par.”

The winner of the US Women’s Open will receive $1 million; the Mickey Wright Medal; custody of the Harton S. Semple Trophy for a year; and an exemption from qualifying for the next 10 US Women’s Open Championships.

Shibuno could join South Koreans Se Ri Pak and In Gee Chun as the only players in history to win majors as their first two LPGA Tour titles. Pak won her titles at the 1998 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 1998 US Women’s Open, while Chun won the 2015 US Women’s Open and the 2016 Evian Championship.

Shibuno or Ji Yeong Kim would be eligible to accept immediate LPGA Tour membership.

Olson would become the season’s fourth Rolex First-Time Winner, joining Ally Ewing (LPGA Drive On Championship – Reynolds Lake Oconee), Mel Reid (ShopRite LPGA Classic) and Madelene Sagstrom (Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio). She would also become the second LPGA Tour winner from North Dakota, joining Beverly Hanson, whose 17 LPGA Tour victories included three major titles.