Lydia Ko fired a five-under-par 67 to claim a share of the one-shot lead at the halfway point of the LPGA Tournament of Champions. Things were really heating up on the greens on Friday!
The New Zealander unleashed a hat-trick of birdies on the back nine – completely bogey-free! After 36 holes at Lake Nona Country Club in Orlando, Florida, she stands at eight-under. What an incredible round!
The 28-year-old three-time Major winner is joined at the top by England's Lottie Woad. The young Brit followed her strong 67 from the opening day with a three-under-par 69. Seriously impressive stuff from both of them!
Ko herself said she carried the momentum from her really strong opening round on Thursday straight into day two. "I felt like I played pretty solid overall," Ko stated. "Yesterday I surprised myself a little. I didn't know what to expect, but I saw a lot of good things and just carried that momentum into today. I'm now in a good position for a couple of tough golf rounds ahead of us."
The rising English star Woad, who only turned professional last year after securing a third-place finish as an amateur at the Evian Championship, sank four birdies with just one bogey in her three-under-par 69. Things are really clicking for the newcomer!
Nevertheless, the 22-year-old was a little frustrated that she couldn't post an even deeper score – too many makeable birdie putts went unconverted, as she revealed: "I had a lot of eight-foot putts for birdie and just didn't make them, which was really annoying." Golfers know the feeling!
Ko and Woad hold a one-shot lead over South Korea's Amy Yang and Japan's Nasa Hataoka. Pure excitement on the course!
Hataoka had set the course alight on Thursday with a six-under-par opening round but had to settle for a 71 on Friday – a roller coaster ride featuring three birdies and two bogeys.
Sweden's Ingrid Lindblad and the South Korean duo Hwang You-min and Kim A-lim are a further shot back at six-under.
Thailand's world number one Jeeno Thitikul is three shots back at five-under, alongside Nelly Korda and fellow Thai Chanettee Wannasaen. Plenty of top stars are still in the mix, ready to make a charge!
