Japanese superstar, and current Rookie of the Year leader, Rio Takeda has taken the lead at -14 early in the third round of the JM Eagle LA Championship.
Takeda was in one of the early groups Saturday, making the cut by just two strokes, but took advantage of some score-able conditions to shoot a -8 64. While the leaders, who sit at -13, are just now teeing off, this still puts Takeda in position to potentially make a run Sunday.
Takeda actually started slow, being +1 thru three holes, but turned it on after that with nine birdies over the last 15 holes. Takeda used her incredible power, averaging 289 off the tee, and took advantage of it to hit 17 greens in regulation. She had 29 putts on the day to go along with the great ball striking.
It has been a huge last year for Takeda, who went from dominating the JLPGA to a seamless transition to the LPGA Tour. This year alone she has three top-10 finishes and a win in six starts. Last year, before she was a member, she won her first LPGA event in her home country Japan. She is ranked No. 17 in the world.
