Leona Maguire posted her joint best opening round of the LPGA season on Thursday, but she couldn’t gain any additional ground on Friday and heads into the weekend tied for 17th at Shanghai’s Qizhong Garden.
The two-time LPGA Tour winner has yet to post a top-10 in a strokeplay event on the circuit this year, though finished runner up at the T Mobile LPGA Matchplay and won the LET’s Aramco Team Series London event, and is looking to end the season on a high note.
A birdie on the par-3 second took her to -7 and early signs were that she was going to have another round in the 60s, but six straight pars were followed by a bogey on the par-5 ninth and she made the turn at level-par for the day.
After another bogey on 12, she responded with back-to-back birdies on 14 and 15, but disappointingly signed off with a pair of ‘fives’, the latter a bogey at the 18th. All-in-all, a level-par round that saw her drop 13 places and she now trails by six at the halfway point.
Korean Sei Young Kim continues to lead the way, but her advantage has been cut to the bare minimum. Having made one birdie and one bogey in the first 16 holes, she birdied the final two to reach -12, with Japan’s Mao Saigo and American Lucy Li in hot pursuit.
“It wasn’t like yesterday, I kind of struggled with my putting,” said Kim, adding that she was “very happy” to finish strong with a pair of birdies.”
Saigo’s seven-under 65 was the round of the day, but lurking ominously is Australian Minjee Lee who carded matching 67s on days one and two and sits in solo fourth at -10.
“I think my game has just been improving little by little throughout the whole year. I played one week in my sponsor’s event couple weeks ago and I just had a good result there, so just trying to ride the momentum,” said Lee.
“I just like playing in Asia. A lot of my family come out to watch and I have a nice fan support group here as well.
“Just makes me feel more at home. Obviously I enjoy playing everywhere, but Asia, it’s close to my heritage and just nice to be here.”
Leave a comment