Jeeno Thitikul sank a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole to card a 7-under 65 and share the second-round lead at 12-under 132 in the LPGA Tour’s LOTTE Championship in Hawaii. Polly Mack of Germany matched that score with a birdie on the 18th as well, setting up a tight battle after 36 holes at Hoakalei Country Club.
Thitikul, ranked second in the world, remained bogey-free through two rounds as she pursued her fourth LPGA Tour win this year. She said the afternoon conditions had calmed compared to the previous day’s rain and wind, adding, “It was lucky for us enough to not have that much gusts.” The 23-year-old’s clean card and steady putting kept her firmly in contention.
Germany’s Mack closed strongly with a birdie on the last hole to join Thitikul at the top of the leaderboard. Behind them, Carolina Melgrati of Italy and Ina Yoon of South Korea were just a stroke back. Melgrati posted a 65 while Yoon shot 67, both moving up the leaderboard with solid performances.
First-round leader A Lim Kim slipped to 10 under after a 69 on Friday. Kim, who won the 2024 edition of the tournament, was tied at 10 under with Michelle Zhang, who shot 67. Nasa Hataoka and Miyu Yamashita, both with scores in the mid-60s, stood at 9 under through two rounds.
The LOTTE Championship is one of the final events before the LPGA Tour shifts its focus to Asia, with the Buick LPGA Shanghai scheduled for October 15-18. The tightly packed leaderboard promises an exciting weekend at Hoakalei, as players vie to improve their positions heading into the final rounds.
According to Yahoo Sports.