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Japan's Nomura leads LPGA event in Texas

Japanese golfer Haru Nomura has a two-shot lead after three rounds of the North Texas LPGA Shootout.

Lydia Ko
World No.1 Lydia Ko has withdrawn from the LPGA tournament in Texas with a viral eye infection. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Haru Nomura of Japan has a two-shot lead going into the final round of the North Texas LPGA Shootout.

Despite a one-over par 72 with a late double bogey in the third round, she doubled her lead in windy conditions on Saturday.

"I have fun, yeah," said Nomura, who sits at eight under for the tournament.

"I like windy and tough conditions, and from fairway to green. Yeah, I love it."

Namura, who led by one stroke after 36 holes, leads 17-year-old amateur Eun Jeong Seong (69), Cristie Kerr (70) and two-time Texas winner Inbee Park (71).

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With winds of about 20 mph and a threatening storm creating difficult conditions for the second straight day, only three players shot in the 60s Saturday.

Stacy Lewis had bogey-free 66 that pushed her from tied for 44th place after 36 holes up to fifth.

The second-round leaders teed off around three hours earlier than scheduled on Saturday, and in threesomes instead of twosomes. But play was finished without any rain.

Ariya Jutanugarn started the day a stroke off the lead and with a win this weekend would take over as the world's No.1-ranked player.

But the third-ranked Jutanugarn shot a 76 with six bogeys and settled in a group of five players, including her sister Moriya (74), who are five strokes off the lead.

New Zealand's Lydia Ko, ranked No.1 for 79 straight weeks, withdrew before the third round because of an eye infection.

Her agent said in a statement that Ko has a swollen eye from an infection, likely caused by allergies that have been bothering her all week.

A doctor advised Ko not to wear contact lenses until she got better.

The only other player who could overtake Ko at the top of the Rolex Rankings is No. 2 So Yeon Ryu, if she finishes first or second in Texas. Ryu shot a 68 on Saturday to get to 2-under 211.

After 79 players started play Saturday, there were 53 who made the secondary cut to advance to the fourth round.

Minjee Lee is the best-placed Australian at one under in a tie for 14th after her round of 74.


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