Nishimura matches 36-hole record, builds five-shot NW Arkansas lead
Yuna Nishimura shot a second straight 8-under 63 at Pinnacle Country Club, reaching 16-under 126 and matching the tournament's 36-hole scoring record. She leads by five strokes over Auston Kim, Mary Liu, and Michelle Zhang, who are tied at 11-under. Nishimura is chasing her first LPGA Tour victory after making only six cuts in 15 starts this season.
Nishimura, a 26-year-old Japanese player, followed her opening 63 with another 63. Her 126 total equals the 36-hole mark previously reached by Se Yeon Ryu in 2017 and Anna Nordqvist in 2020. She has made 15 birdies and missed just two greens over two rounds.
Auston Kim, Mary Liu and Michelle Zhang are five behind at 11-under after each carded 64. Kim went bogey-free and is a recent U.S. Solheim Cup debutant; Liu and Zhang posted career-low LPGA rounds. Nishimura, who has six made cuts in 15 starts this year, seeks her first LPGA title.
Nishimura’s run may draw more attention to women’s golf in Japan and beyond, especially if she secures a first LPGA win. A record-tying performance could inspire young players and boost viewership for the final round. For challengers like Kim, Liu and Zhang, strong finishes may improve confidence and season standing. The outcome could also affect tournament marketing and fan engagement, though its broader social impact likely remains modest and localized.