She had 5 birdies and an eagle playing in the afternoon groupings. She has 2 previous 65s, one here in 2018.
Holmqvist said she’s had a sluggish start to the season and hasn’t played enough to get herself into a rhythm. Being in front is a good sensation though.
“That’s what we all strive to do,” she said. “Some weeks you’re better than others, and some weeks you feel like you’re losing. So it’s fun to actually come up on top for you once. This game is tough, and just got to cherish the moments when you actually put together a good one.”
The 30-year-old Shin of South Korea had 6 birdies in a bogey-free round in her quote for a very first win because 2016.
That was her only win on trip however she’s been consistent earner swiping $5.4 million because turning pro in 2010.
“Bogey-free rounds are always very happy rounds,” said Shin, who struck 12 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens. “I dropped the putts when I needed to and I hit some good shots coming into the par-5s and gave myself really good opportunities for birdie. So, yeah, good round overall.”
The 25-year-old Liu had a wild round that included 2 eagles — on Nos. 9 and 18 — 5 birdies and 3 bogeys, all in her very first 5 holes.
She was 1 over heading to No. 9 and played the last 10 in 7 under.
Had her morning rating held, it would have been her very first time as the leader.
“I just want to stay focus my game, and like today, easy golf,” she said.
Hall, who has 5 top-10 surfaces consisting of successive runner-up areas in March, had 8 birdies and 3 bogeys. She is ranked No. 9 worldwide and is searching for her 3rd LPGA Tour success.
“I really like this golf course,” said Hall who is returning home next week to rest. “It’s a little bit linksy, so reminds me of home a bit. And the greens are a little bit slow like they are in England, so I wanted to come play this week. And, obviously, a win is a win.”
Nordqvist won in 2015 and ‘16. She played a bogey-free round in her quest for a 10th title, the last the Women’s British Open in 2021.
“I feel like when you do well at a golf course there is a lot of good memories, so I think that gives you a little bit of confidence and just like puts you in a really good state,” Nordqvist said.
American Sarah Schmelzel, Soo Bin Joo of South Korea and Paula Reto of South Africa were likewise at 5-under, and a shot ahead of a big group that consisted of Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand and Ayaka Furue of Japan.
Two-time NCAA champ Rose Zhang, who stunned the golf world by winning recently’s Mizuho Americas Open in her very first start as an expert, is taking today off.
Hamilton’s Alena Sharp shot 70 on Friday.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
The Associated Press
