Harukyo Nomura is in contention for her second U.S. LPGA tour victory a week after her 6-under-par second round on Friday left her three strokes off the pace at the Honda LPGA Thailand.
Nomura, who won her first title last Sunday at the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open, had a bogey-free round with six birdies at the par-72 Siam Country Club to sit in a four-way tie for fifth at 6-under-par 138. South Korean Amy Young leads at 9 under.
A day after struggling with her putter, Nomura birdied No. 1 and sank one putt after another from 10 to 20 feet. She carded four birdies on the back nine, and flashed a slight fist pump after she chipped in for a birdie from the far end of the green on No. 14.
"My shots and putts were all good. I've adjusted (my putts) as the greens are fast," said Nomura, whose expression brimmed with confidence. "The positions of the pins were difficult and there were winds too, so I believe 6-under is a good score."
The 23-year-old doesn't seem too surprised with her fine form of late, however, claiming that the signs were all there even before the title-winning breakthrough the previous week.
"I've been in good shape before that and still am. I've been composed since the start of the year. There's that good flow and the feeling is a little different."
"My target is to enjoy playing golf. I don't like pressure. I don't want to think about it."
This is the fourth straight tournament in which Nomura has been in title contention, although she collapsed in the final rounds to finish 13th the first two times.
