Two-time ShopRite winner Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall were in a group of five two shots off the lead in the 54-hole event on the Bay Course at Seaview, close to the casinos in Atlantic City.
Having Holmqvist in front is a surprise. The 35-year-old Swede, who has never won on tour but has lifted titles in Sweden and Australia, had missed the cut in all five events she played this year.
She has had two two previous 65s, one here in 2018, and her five birdies and an eagle playing in the afternoon groupings sets her up nicely for the tournament.
Holmqvist said she hasn’t played enough to get herself into a rhythm, but being in front is a good feeling as she is now in position to contend for her first LPGA Tour title.
“That’s what we all strive to do,” she said. “Some weeks you’re better than others, and some weeks you feel like you’re losing. So it’s fun to actually come up on top for once.
“This game is tough, and just got to cherish the moments when you actually put together a good one.”
The 30-year-old Shin, from South Korea, had six birdies in a bogey-free round in search of her first win since 2016. It is her only win on tour but she has been a steady earner, pocketing $5.4 million since turning pro in 2010.
“Bogey-free rounds are always very happy rounds,” said Shin, who hit 12 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens. “I dropped the putts when I needed to and I hit some good shots coming into the par-5s and gave myself really good opportunities for birdie. So, yeah, good round overall.”
The 25-year-old Liu had a wild round that featured two eagles – on Nos.9 and 18 – five birdies and three bogeys, all in her first five holes. She was one over heading to No.9 and played the last 10 in 7 under. Her tie for 21st last week at Mizuho was her best finish of the year.
American Sarah Schmelzel, Soo Bin Joo of South Korea and Paula Reto of South Africa are also at 5 under, a shot ahead of a large group that included Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand and Ayaka Furue of Japan, who both played well at the Mizuho Americas Cup last week in Jersey City.
Su Oh is Australia’s leading contender at three under while Sarah Kemp finished even par.Â
Two-time NCAA champion Rose Zhang, who stunned the golf world by winning last week in her first start as a professional, is taking this week off.
Defending champion Brooke Henderson and Aditi Ashok of India are in a group at 2 under.