Jeeno leads Boutier by one at LPGA Americas Open

New York: World number two Jeeno Thitikul defied difficult, windy conditions to card nine birdies, offsetting a mid-round double-bogey and regaining the lead in the LPGA Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National on Saturday.

“I don´t know how crazy I am playing out there with this strongest wind ever,” said the Thai star, whose seven-under 65 gave her a 54-hole total of 14-under 202 and a one-stroke lead over France´s Celine Boutier. Boutier´s seven birdies included three in a row at 15, 16 and 17 in a six-under 66 for 203.

Jeeno, who led by two after Thursday´s first round but had slipped one off the lead on Friday, said her only strategy in the blustery weather was “just trying to keep it on the fairway and on the green.

“I knew it´s going to be a really tough day and I have to be patient out there,” added Jeeno, who claimed the most recent of her four LPGA titles at the Tour Championship last year. As on Thursday, Jeeno starred on the greens, needing just 25 putts. She took a week off after the Chevron Championship, where she felt poor putting doomed her bid for a first major title and with the frustration she felt “burnout with the putting”.