Ariya and Ryu bounce back from significant disappointments, kicking off their Utah campaign with promise
Fiery Take on the Black Desert Championship
In the red-hot debut of the Black Desert Championship in Ivins, Utah since 1964, it's South Korea's Haeran Ryu who's owning the first position after a flawless round of 63, with just a single bogey in sight. Ryu, the dominating force on the course, is now one stroke ahead of Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and Taiwan's Wei-Ling Hsu.
Ryu, who was a close contender at the Chevron Championship in Houston last week, missed the playoff by a margin of two strokes. But in Utah, she's been unstoppable - knocking down the competition with her impressive precision and accuracy.
Ariya, who almost clinched the victory at the 72nd hole on Sunday, had to settle for a playoff loss against Japan's Mao Saigo. Determined to bounce back, Ariya is fighting hard, with eight birdies and no bogeys in her arsenal.
Hsu, one of the afternoon starters, made a significant impact with an eagle and six birdies, notably at the seventh, eighth, and ninth holes. As the tournament unfolds, players like Carlota Ciganda, Esther Henseleit, and a group of six others are hot on their heels, sitting at a respectable -7.
Despite the challenging layout near Zion National Park, Ariya finds solace in the lack of wind and the unique layout. Meanwhile, Haeran Ryu highlights the course's rocky terrain as an added obstacle, stating that it can make the course seem narrower than it appears.
Saigo, the first-time major title holder, shook off early bogeys to post a respectable 70, adding another layer of excitement to this high-stakes tournament.
Keep your eyes on this fiery competition as it continues to heat up! For live updates, follow the official LPGA leaderboard.
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In the 2025 Black Desert Championship, South Korea's Haeran Ryu continued her impressive form, sporting a one-stroke lead over Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and Taiwan's Wei-Ling Hsu. Despite missing the playoff at the Chevron Championship last week, Ryu showcased her precision and accuracy, knocking down competitors reminiscent of a chevron symbol's pointed edge. Ariya, who fell short in the playoff at the Chevron Championship, is determined to turn the tables, amassing eight birdies without a single bogey in Utah.
