EVIAN-LES BAINS, France — Brooke Henderson sets the pace at the Evian Championship in record-breaking fashion.
Canadian player shot a second straight 7 under 64 on Friday to lead by three strokes after the second round in the fourth major.
She is the first American LPGA player to start a major with two rounds of 64 and lower. Henderson, who is 14 years old for the tournament, believes there is a reason why she is so quick to get started.
Ive been having a lot of crêpes in France, she said, smiling. Id like to keep the momentum going, so Id better have more.
Nelly Korda is Hendersons only opponent in the 132-woman field. The former No. 1 American Olympic champion and U.S. Olympic gold medalist, Nelly Korda, is the only player in the 132-woman field within 4 shots of Henderson. 1 was 3 back, after having completed birdie eagle at Evian Resort Golf Club in order to shoot 67.
It is Korda’s fifth competition since returning to competitive action more than four months after she had surgery on a bloodclot on her arm.
Sei Young Kim (65) from South Korea and So Yeon Ryu 66 (66) tied for third at 9 under, 5 shots behind Henderson. Perrine Delacour, a French player, was among the six at 8-under par after her round of 68.
Henderson, who won her first major title at the Womens PGA Championship 2016, began her afternoon round 4 shots behind Korda. She birdied her first two holes.
No. 3 and a birdie on No. 9 before Henderson got on a roll in the back nine. Back-to-back birdies at No. 11 and then putted from 15 feet, 8 foot and 10 feet to make birdies on the last three holes.
Henderson said, Its really nice to get off quickly in a major title. Its been awhile since I was able to do that. Its amazing to get it this far below par. I feel like Im hitting my ball really well, which I find pleasing.
Kordas round featured a highlight: her second shot at par-5 18th. It was a high fade, which landed in the middle green and rolled to within three feet. She was not disappointed with the putt for an eagle.
Korda claimed that she had been suffering from jetlag and couldnt sleep before her second round started. It opened with 10 stress-free , pars.
Like Henderson, Korda also won a major championship — last year’s Women’s PGA Championship — and was ranked No. She was No. 1 in the world after she quit playing in February. Now, she is No. She is now No. 3 and has three top-10 finishes since her return.
Ayaka Furue, the first round leader, shot 72, 9 strokes worse on Thursday. She was in a five-strong group of 7 under.
