Jutanugarn takes lead in Bama with birdie run

5:41 PM ET

PRATTVILLE, Ala. — Ariya Jutanugarn birdied eight of the final nine holes Saturday to match the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic record at 9-under 63 and take a three-stroke lead.

Seeking her first LPGA Tour victory, the 20-year-old Thai player had a 14-under 202 total. She showed little emotion at the end, giving a small wave toward the bleachers after picking up her ball and strolling toward her playing partners for a hug.

“(Sunday’s) going to be so much fun,” Jutanugarn said. “I just want to enjoy and have fun.”

Ryann O’Toole and Australia’s Minjee Lee were tied for second. They each shot 68.

Jutanugarn parred No. 15, the only blemish in her back-nine birdie run on the links-style Senator Course at Capitol Hill. She pulled her approach left on No. 17 and still knocked it within a couple of feet of the hole, and closed with a 5-footer on the final hole for yet another birdie.

She has flirted with wins before but had two final-round collapses. Last month in the ANA Inspiration, she had a two-stroke lead with three holes left and closed with three bogeys to finish fourth — two strokes behind …

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