Nasa Hataoka would very much like to follow in the footsteps of Ai Miyazato this week at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Hataoka, the 21-year-old with three LPGA titles in the past two years, counts the now-retired Miyazato, a fellow Japaneses player, among women she admires in this game.
When Miyazato won the 2010 ShopRite LPGA Classic, it lifted her to the No. 1 position in the world.
“I looked up to her,” Hataoka said. “She was a player I felt like that played mostly in the U.S. instead of played in Japan. She’s obviously won here, and I feel like maybe it will be a chance for another Japanese player to win this tournament.”
Hataoka, at No. 8 in the Rolex Rankings, isn’t in position to claim the top spot in the rankings even if she does turn a 36-hole lead into a victory on Sunday.
ShopRite LPGA Classic: Leaderboard
“I’ll definitely get closer,” she noted.
But Hataoka is the player they’re all chasing at Seaview Resort in Galloway, New Jersey, after her second-round 4-under 67 moved her to 11 under and gave her a one-shot lead over Mel Reid and Mi Hyang Lee.
In two rounds at Seavew, Hataoka has been nothing if not consistent. She has made just two bogeys, her second one coming Friday at the par-4 second hole. She matched that with five birdies. Hataoka felt the hole locations were much more difficult for the second round.
“I wasn’t striking the ball as well as yesterday, but I was able to convert my birdie chances where I wanted to and that was good,” she said.
Reid was the 54-hole leader at the Cambia Portland Classic two weeks ago and ultimately finished tied for fifth. Lee has won twice on this tour and will try to draw on them going into the weekend. Patience will be key.
“Still I have two days left and I’m just – I like to do – try to do my best,” she said. “I don’t want to think any golf score. Just I want to do my golf. Yeah, that’s my goal.”
Celine Boutier and Amy Alson are tied for fourth, a shot back at 9 under. A group of four players tied for sixth another shot back includes Portland winner Georgia Hall as well as Jennifer Kupcho.
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