“First LPGA Victory in Sight”: Choi Hye-jin Maintains Lead for Second Straight Day... Yoon In-a Tied for Sixth

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A first career victory on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour is within reach. Choi Hye-jin firmly held onto the top spot for two consecutive days of the tournament.

On the 14th (Korean time), at Pelican Golf Club (Par 70) in Belleair, Florida, USA, during the second round of the Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican (total prize money $3.25 million), Choi recorded an eagle, four birdies, and three bogeys for a score of 3-under-par 67.

Having risen to a tie for the lead with a 9-under-par 61 in the first round, Choi posted a two-day total of 12-under-par 128, tying for first place alongside Carlota Ciganda (Spain) and Lindy Duncan (USA). Saigo Mao and Katsu Minami (both Japan) are chasing the lead group by two strokes with a combined score of 10-under-par 130.

Choi, who debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2022, has yet to secure a win on the main tour. In particular, she left deep regret after finishing as runner-up in consecutive events last month: the Buick LPGA Shanghai held in China and the BMW Ladies Championship hosted in Haenam, South Jeolla Province. By leading for two straight rounds at this tournament, she has laid an excellent foundation to quench her thirst for victory.

Starting on the 10th hole, Choi struggled early due to strong winds. She wavered after committing consecutive bogeys on the 10th (Par 4) and 11th (Par 4) holes. Although she appeared to steady herself with a birdie on the 12th (Par 3), she recorded another bogey on the 14th (Par 5). She recovered one stroke on the 17th (Par 4), but lost one net stroke in the first nine holes, finishing with three bogeys and two birdies.

The atmosphere changed completely in the second half. After firing a birdie on the 1st hole (Par 4) to signal a turnaround, Choi followed up with a birdie on the 6th (Par 4) and then captured a thrilling eagle on the 7th (Par 5), instantly cutting three strokes to defend her lead.

Other Korean players also continued their strong performances. Yoon In-a, who was tied for fifth after the first round, cut three strokes today to sit in a tie for sixth with a combined score of 9-under-par 131, keeping pace in the upper echelon. Im Jin-hee, Ko Jin-yeong, Yoo Hae-ran, Kim A-lim, and Kang Min-ji all tied for 31st place with a combined score of 4-under-par 136.

Nelly Korda (USA), ranked No. 1 in the world, who returned after a two-month break, recorded one birdie without any bogeys to mark a tie for ninth with a combined score of 8-under-par 132.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original