SYLVANIA – Lucy Li has already been guaranteed an LPGA Tour card for next season. The 19-year old Californian played Friday as if she was ready to join the big leagues sooner.
Li had five birdies in a stretch of seven holes on the back nine. She also kept bogeys off the card the rest. Li finished with a 7 under 64, giving her a two-shot lead at the Dana Open.
Ruoning, a Chinese rookie of 19 years, is another. Carlota CigandaEach of Spain had a trail Li of 69 going into the weekend at Highland Meadow.
Li is best remembered for her achievement as the youngest U.S. Womens Open player at the age 11 in 2014. 2. She has won twice on the Epson Tour this year to secure one the 10 LPGA cards for the developmental circuit in 2023.
Li was at 10-under132.
Li stated, It definitely gives my kind of the ability of playing free just knowing I have status next year. And kind of focusing a lot on some other goals for myself, such as playing more LPGA starts.
Defending champion Nasa Hatakeka (66) Lexi Thompson(69), were among those three left behind.
Lis run started on the par-4 12th, and she finished with three consecutive birdies beginning on the 14th. A number of par saves were equally important for Li, especially No. After the turn, 1.
I chunked the ball from being in middle of the fairway. Li said that it was really embarrassing and that she was glad she was able to save her par.
Li had an exemption to play last week in Canada in CP Womens Open. Her tie for ninth got Li into the Dana Open.
It was a quick turnaround for my. I played just one practice round. Li stated that she just wanted to play the best possible. I was looking forward actually to going home this week, but its nice out here playing on LPGA. I just want to have a good experience.
Yin was one among three players who took the lead after round 1. Her goal is to play bogey free, and her one-shot bogey in her first round motivated her six birdies over her final 10 holes. Friday wasnt so kind. Yin was able to follow bogeys with birdsies twice, but it was mostly a steady diet of pars.
Yin received her card through LPGA Q-Series last autumn. She is 143rd on the Race to CME Globe. She found herself pushing so hard and working so hard in the early part of the year that she hurt her wrist. She played in a few Epson Tour events, even though she was not eligible for the European swing. This may have contributed to her injury.
She spent more time working on her short game. It is paying off. Yin believes that she has the right recipe for practicing.
She stated that she hit bad when she hits the ball and wanted to press harder. Right now I play less and I hit more the ball. Return to your old game.
Hye-Jin Choi shared the lead after 18 holes and had a 70. He joined the group at 7 under 135 that included Wei-Ling HsuTaiwan (66). Caroline Masson (67).
After 18 holes, Ciganda, the co-leader, held her own in afternoon.
Ciganda stated, The course was playing slightly differently than yesterday I thought. I think the heat and warm weather is drying out the fairways a bit, so they are running a bit more. I would have liked to see a few more birdies but I believe I am in a good spot heading into the weekend.