Overnight leader, Taiwan’s Chen Yu-Ju (陳宇茹) made steady progress with a second-round 68, following her first-round 67, to keep her one-shot advantage at 9-under par 135 heading into tomorrow’s final round at the BGC Thailand Ladies Masters, a Taiwan LPGA Tour and Thai WPGA Tour co-sanctioned event.

Local talent Wad Phaewchimplee’s colorful scorecard saw eight birdies, two bogeys, and one double-bogey, which also combined for a 4-under 68 and lifted her into solo second at the moment.

Peerada Piddon took flight with three birdies and a hole-in-one on the 14th hole to rise into a tie for fifth at 5-under 139 with her compatriot and defending champion Patcharajutar Kongkraphan.

Kongkraphan closed the 2022 Thai WPGA season atop the Money List. She is now ranked as high as second on the 2023 leaderboard while clinching three oversea victories already this year on the Taiwan LPGA Tour.

This season-ending THB$4 million (NT$3.6 million), 54-hole tournament at the Black Mountain is recognized by the WWGR (World Women’s Golf Rankings), featuring 30 elite Taiwan LPGA members and 90 professional players from host Thailand and six other countries. After today’s cut, 65 players on 3-over 147 survived through to the final day. The winner will take away a THB$600,000 (NT$540,000) cash prize.

Chen Yu-Ju, starting from the back nine on the 10th hole, scored three early birdies on Hole 11-13 to consolidate her first-round lead. Although hit by a four-putt double-bogey on the par-3 3rd hole, Chen reestablished her advantage on the front nine with three more birdies, keeping herself atop the leaderboard.

“I did not play as well as yesterday but overall, my ball-striking was still pretty good and I made some great saves from the bunkers,” said Chen, who plays regularly on Korea’s Dream Tour. “It’s a little concerning that I let one double-bogey in each round. I’ll have to be really careful not to repeat the lapses in the final round.”

Chou Yi-Tsen (周怡岑) (71), Babe Liu (劉嬿), and Lee Hsin (李欣) (72) sit in a nine-way tie for 11th with six shots off the lead.

Chou’s steady round saw her pick up two birdies and one bogey. “The pin positions were more difficult than yesterday. I took too little risks when I played some tough putts, not taking my opportunities too well. But I’m glad that I did not make many mistakes as well,” said Chou, who hit 16 greens but needed 33 attempts on them.

Babe Liu also required 30+ shots on the greens. “I left a lot of birdies out there. I’m hoping I will convert these putts more efficiently tomorrow,” said Liu, who made 13 greens in regulation.

Lee Hsin dropped from equal fourth to eleventh after making three birdies and three bogeys on Thursday. Her second shot was caught by a water hazard on the ninth hole, which resulted in her first bogey. Another pair of bogeys on the 14th and 15th knocked her out of the top-10. “I’m just happy I’m putting really well to make up for my mistakes off the irons. I hope I’ll keep trusting my instinct and go for my shots more bravely in the final round,” Lee said, who needed 28 putts in the second round.