Thailand’s world No 1 Jeeno Thitikul surged to the top of the leaderboard at the season-ending LPGA Tour Championship on Friday after posting a nine-under-par 63 to take a three-shot advantage into the weekend.
Thitikul, the defending champion, produced a flawless second round at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, mixing nine birdies with nine pars to reach 14 under at the halfway mark.
The 22-year-old is aiming to defend the richest title in women’s golf, with the winner set to collect a $4-million first prize.
Thitikul holds a three-stroke cushion over South Korea’s Kim Sei-young, who returned a six-under-par 66 to remain firmly in contention at 11 under.
Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and South Korea’s Lee So-mi sit a further stroke back at 10 under. Hataoka carded her second consecutive five under par 67, while overnight leader Lee signed for a two-under 70 after opening with a 64.
Former world No 1 Nelly Korda is part of a four-player group tied for fifth on nine under. Korda, who struggled to a 71 on Thursday, responded with an eight-under-par 64 to move back into contention.
Korda explained that a simplified approach on the greens fuelled her improvement after a frustrating first round.
“Yesterday was just missing by centimetres,” Korda said. “They were burning edges, lipping out. That’s been a common theme this year. I feel like I’ve played better than my scores have shown.
“So I went to the putting green for five minutes and simplified everything. Didn’t do too much.”
– AFP
Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
