LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Japan’s Haru Nomura stretched her lead to two strokes at the wind-whipped LPGA Texas Shootout on Saturday, firing a one-over par 72 at Las Colinas Country Club in suburban Dallas.
Nomura looked poised to take an even bigger lead into Sunday’s final round before a double-bogey at the par-three 17th, where her tee shot landed in long grass.
But her one-over effort, which also included two birdies and a bogey, was good enough for an eight-under par total of 205 for 54 holes and a two-shot lead over South Korean star Park In-Bee, American Cristie Kerr and South Korean amateur Seong Eun-Jeong.
Nomura, who won twice on the LPGA tour last year, said she enjoyed the windy weather.
‘‘Windy (is) easy,’’ she said. ‘‘I like windy and tough conditions, from fairway to green. I love it.’’
Park, a two-time winner at Las Colinas, also had a double-bogey on her card, at the par-three fourth, but added four birdies and two bogeys on the way to an even-par 71.
Kerr, winner of the Lotte Championship in Hawaii two weeks ago, posted a one-under 70 while Seong posted a two-under 69 that included five birdies a bogey and a double-bogey to join the group on 207.
