With two days of play wrapped up at Highland Meadows Golf Club, Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen finds herself atop the leaderboard for the first time in her LPGA Tour career, holding a 36-hole lead at 11-under par.
Wannasaen dazzled with a second-round 65, following an impressive 66 on day one, bringing her to a career-low 36-hole total of 131.
Starting the day tied for fourth, Wannasaen ignited her round with a birdie on the par-3 2nd hole.
A bogey on the 4th was her only misstep, as she played flawlessly thereafter.
Another birdie on the par-3 8th had her turning at 33, sitting 6-under. On the back nine, she added birdies on the 11th and 14th holes, maintaining her momentum.
A birdie on the 17th and a spectacular eagle on the 18th, courtesy of a stunning 3-wood to within a few feet, sealed her spot at the top.
“Today, I think on the front nine, I play not good either, but it’s like birdie and then bogey and then par, par, and then birdie again,” Wannasaen reflected.
“I think today is just like 4-under par for the day is enough. On the back nine, I played really good. The putter was really good on the back nine.”
Wannasaen’s strong finish edged her past co-leaders Linn Grant and Xiyu Lin, who are both tied for second at 10-under.
Lin, with one bogey and five birdies in her round, and defending champion Grant, with eight birdies and two bogeys, are both firmly in the hunt going into the weekend.
Grant is looking to be the first to defend her Dana Open title successfully since Se Ri Pak’s back-to-back victories in 1998 and 1999.
Grant attributed her solid play to familiarity with the course, saying, “I think it just reminds me a lot about how I play golf at my home course.
The grass is very similar; ground feels similar; how I read the putts is very alike. It brings out just a joy of playing.
And then also that I can play aggressive without being penalized too much when it doesn’t go my way. It sets me up for some good momentum, and (I can) really get the birdies going.”
The top five is rounded out by six players, including LPGA Tour rookie Mary Liu, who is in solo fourth at 9-under. Liu, who has made only four cuts in ten starts this season, is contending for the first time in her career.
Five players are tied for fifth at 7-under, including Thursday’s leader Hye-Jin Choi, who shot even-par on Friday.
Other notables include reigning Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Haeran Ryu, Japan’s Mao Saigo, South Africa’s Paula Reto, and Australia’s Sarah Kemp, all posting competitive scores to stay in the mix.
Eighty players made the cut at even-par, including fan-favourite Lexi Thompson. On “Lexi Thompson Day,” she carded a 2-under 69 and is tied for 50th at 1-under for the tournament.
