Nontaya leads Thai charge at LPGA qualifying tournament

Written by changthai11 on Friday, October 3rd, 2008

KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT

Four Thai golfers led by Nontaya Srisawang made the cut at the LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida on Wednesday.

The quartet are hoping to bury their disappointment after they all failed to advance to the final round at a qualifying event at the Mission Hills Country Club last month.

On Wednesday, Nontaya, 20, hit a 67 in the second round for a five-under-par 139 in total at the Panther Course. She was tied third, one shot behind co-leaders Chella Choi of South Korea and Beatriz Recari of Spain.

At the Bobcat Course, Pornanong Phatlum made two bogeys on the front nine but chalked up three birdies on the back nine for a 71. She was on even-par 144.

“I played pretty good today because it was sunny at the Bobcat Course,” said the Chaiyaphum-born Pornanong who struggled at the Panther Course in the first round.

Porani Chutichai was one shot further back after scoring an even-par 72 in the second round, also at the Bobcat Course. A total of 145 put the Chiang Rai native in a group of six players in 22nd place.

“I like this course because it is easy to make birdie,” said Porani who fired two birdies against two bogeys.

Noon Huachai managed to qualify for the weekend rounds despite a second-round 77. She finished on the cut line of 150.

The next two rounds will play at the Bobcat Course with the top-30 finishers advancing to the final event in December.