Blumenhurst & Jutanugarn Set Pace in ShopRite Classic


Amanda Blumenherst and Moriya Jutanugarn both shot 5-under 66s to take a share of the lead in the ShopRite LPGA Classic. The $1.5 million, 54-hole tournament teed off Friday on the Bay Course at Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club in Galloway, N.J.

After two pars to begin play, the 26-year-old Blumenherst - still in search of her first LPGA Tour win - eagled the par-5 third to jump-start her round. Though she bogeyed the par-4 sixth, she birdied the ninth and add three more birdies on the back nine.

"It's been a while since I've had a very solid round of golf and felt like I just played well throughout the entire day," the former Duke star told reporters.

Jutanugarn, a rookie from Thailand, started off with two birdies before bogeying the third to make the turn in 1-under 36 on the par-37-par-34 layout. On the home half, she added four birdies to rise up to the top of the leaderboard.

Right behind after a 67 is defending champion Stacy Lewis, while alone in fourth after carding a 68 is Michelle Wie.

"I really just stayed patient today and took it one shot at a time," said Wie, who's missed five of 10 cuts in 2013. "I didn't get ahead of myself, and I really have to do that the next two days."

Spain's Beatriz Recari, South Koreans Hee Young Park and Ji Young Oh, Thailand's Poranong Phatlum, American Jennifer Song and Canada's Sara-Maude Juneau share fifth after 69s.

No. 1-ranked Inbee Park struggled to a 3-over 74, a mark matched by Paula Creamer and Yani Tseng.

For complete scoring details, visit www.lpga.com.