Coughlin sets LPGA record with nine straight birdies

Lauren Coughlin made LPGA Tour history at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, opening her second round with nine consecutive birdies and shooting a record-low 26 on her first nine holes. She finished with a career-best 10-under 61, but her closing stretch of six pars left her short of Annika Sorenstam’s LPGA-record 59. The surge lifted Coughlin sharply up the leaderboard, though at eight under she remained well behind Yuna Nishimura, who led at 16 under after consecutive rounds of 63. English players Charley Hull, Lottie Woad and Jodi Ewart Shadoff were among those tied for fifth at 10 under, six shots off the lead.