HAINAN ISLAND, China – Top-ranked Ariya Jutanugarn shot a 4-under 68 to take a four-stroke lead at the halfway point of the Blue Bay LPGA tournament.
Jutanugarn had birdies on the final two holes – and four of the closing seven – on Thursday to take command over the rest of the field at 7-under 137.
Jennifer Song, Moriya Jutanugarn, and Gaby Lopez shot 71s and were in a tie for second at 3 under.
Ariya Jutanugarn said the sisters are sharing the same living quarters this week. But she went on to explain they are very different characters.
Full-field scores from the Blue Bay LPGA
''I think we are very nice to each other when we’re on the golf course, but off the golf course I think we not nice to each other,’' she joked.
Between siblings, old habits die hard.
''You know, she’s really professional,’' Ariya said of her sister. ''So her room is so clean. I throw everything. She yells at me every day.’'
First-round leader Thidapa Suwannapura carded a 75 and fell six strokes behind the leader.
The Blue Bay tournament is the last of five on the LPGA tour’s Asian swing.