Lauren Coughlin Ties LPGA Record With 9 Straight Birdies

Lauren Coughlin became the first player in LPGA Tour history to open a round with nine consecutive birdies, doing so in the second round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club.

Starting on the 10th tee, Coughlin made the turn in 26, the lowest nine-hole score ever recorded on the LPGA Tour. The streak also tied the all-time record for most consecutive birdies in a single round, a mark she shares with Beth Daniel and Amy Yang.

Did Coughlin threaten a sub-60 round?

The run put Coughlin on pace for a sub-60 round; she needed 33 on her closing nine to become just the second player in LPGA Tour history to break 60, joining Annika Sorenstam. Pars at the 10th and 11th slowed her, though a 10th birdie moved her to eight-under for the tournament. She finished with six consecutive pars for a 10-under 61, a leap of 108 spots on the leaderboard to a tie for 19th.

Where does that leave the leaderboard?

Coughlin sits eight shots behind overnight leader Yuna Nishimura, whose two rounds of 63 have her at 16-under, five clear of Mary Liu, Auston Kim and Michelle Zhang.

Sorenstam's 59 came at the 2001 Standard Register PING at Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix, a round she opened with eight consecutive birdies — one fewer than Coughlin managed on Saturday.