Phatlum Separates Herself from Field in Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia


Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum fired a 6-under 65 to take the 54-hole lead in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. The $2 million event started Thursday at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

The 24-year-old Phatlum, who began with two straight 67s, moved to 14-under 199, three strokes clear of Japan's Ayako Uehara, who carded a 69, and four ahead of South Koreans Chella Choi (68) and So Yeon Ryu (72), China's Shanshan Feng (69) and New Zealand's Lydia Ko (70).

Ryu began Saturday two strokes ahead of fellow South Korean Eun-Hee Ji, Uehara, England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Ko.

Phatlum was simply superb on the front nine, carding six birdies to make the turn in 6-under 29. She cooled off on the home half, however, with one birdie and two bogeys.

"The front nine was amazing," said Phatlum, who's in position for her first LPGA title. "Like I make everything. Back nine I just feel a little bit nervous . . . I don't know why I was nervous (on the back nine). But I kept my concentration (and) I putted well.

"Of course I will try hard to win. I hope I can do well. For Sunday, going into the final round I will just play my game and play shot by shot."

Another Thai player, Ariya Jutanugarn, posted the low round of the day, a 7-under 64, to rise into a share of seventh at 204 with Koreans Ilhee Lee and Na Yeon Choi, who each shot 68s.

Germany's Caroline Masson (66), England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff (72) and South Koreans Mirim Lee (67), Sun Young Yoo (68) and Mi Hyang Lee (69) are tied for 10th at 205.

After opening with a 65 to take the 18-hole lead, No. 1-ranked Stacy Lewis has cooled over the second and third rounds, shooting 71 and 72 to drop into a tie for 20th at 208.

Defending champion Lexi Thompson played her best round so far in the 72-hole event, shooting a 69 that included an eagle on the sixth hole. She opened with rounds of 71 and 73 and heads into Sunday trailing Phatlum by 14 shots.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.