Red-hot Jutanugarn fires opening 65, one back of Kim

(Reuters) - Red-hot Ariya Jutanugarn put herself in prime position in pursuit of a third successive LPGA victory as she fired an opening seven-under 65 at the inaugural PGA Volvik Championship in Michigan on Thursday. Ariya did not even carry a driver in her bag, but that did not stop her from bagging seven birdies in a bogey-free round that put her one stroke behind LPGA veteran Christina Kim, who has served as a friend and mentor to the 20-year-old Thai, who at one point missed 10 cuts in a row in her rookie season. "I think that for her it was just a matter of breaking the shell and getting over that first hump and getting that first win, and she is going to be just an absolute world beater." Ariya, coming off back-to-back wins at the Yokohama Tire Classic and Kingsmill Championship, echoed a mutual admiration for Kim, whose first of three LPGA titles came in 2003.

Continue reading...