VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Megan Khang had 5 straight birdies in a back-nine burst and shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead within the CPKC Girls’s Open at difficult Shaughnessy Golf and Nation Membership.
After taking part in the primary 10 holes in 1 below, Khang birdied 5 straight on Nos. 11-15. She closed the bogey-free morning spherical with three pars, leaving her at 7-under 137 on the tree-lined – and mosquito-ladden – format.
“Actually, this golf course I really feel like you possibly can’t actually get too snug,” Khang stated. “These fairways are tight and the greens are quick and agency, so I am not taking something with no consideration.”
Linn Grant of Sweden was second after a 71.
First-round chief Yuka Saso of Japan adopted her opening 66 with a 73 to drop right into a tie for third at 5 below with 2019 winner Jin Younger Ko of South Korea. The fourth-ranked Ko had a 70.
Whereas winless on the LPGA Tour, Khang has 33 top-10 finishes and profession earnings over $5 million. The 25-year-old American is No. 27 on the earth.
“Undoubtedly birdies are on the market,” Khang stated. “Once more, simply attempt to keep affected person. There will likely be instances the place should you occur to overlook the golf green you are simply going to need to punch out, and that is OK. Simply so long as you keep level-headed on the market”
Grant gained the Dana Open in July in Ohio for her first LPGA Tour title.
“Nonetheless a tough course,” Grant stated. “Nonetheless some good golf, however not fairly there.”
Ko gained in 2019 at Magna exterior Toronto. She has 15 LPGA Tour victories.
“I hit a number of good pictures as we speak,” Ko stated. “I hit 17 greens out of 18 greens. I did some miss putts, however was OK.
Second-ranked Nelly Korda was 4 below after her second 70.
“It’s extremely essential to hit it effectively out right here,” Korda stated. “On the finish of the day, you bought to make putts.”
Canadian star Brooke Henderson rebounded from a gap 75 with a bogey-free 68 to get to 1 below. The 2018 winner at Wascana in Regina, Saskatchewan, she is sporting glasses in competitors for the primary time.
“Feels actually good to get again below par,” Henderson stated. “Really feel like I fought actually arduous to get again below par. … Yesterday was not good, so popping out early this morning simply wished to get off to begin, and birdieing the eleventh gap – my second gap of the day – gave me the precise momentum.”
Rose Zhang had a 75 to fall to even par. The 20-year-old Zhang gained the Mizuho Americas Open in June at Liberty Nationwide in her first skilled begin.
High-ranked Lilia Vu additionally was even par after a second 72.
Three-time winner Lydia Ko was 2 over after a 74. She gained at Vancouver Golf Membership in 2012 and 2015.
Lexi Thompson missed the reduce with rounds of 76 and 80. She’s No. 157 within the Race to CME Globe and at risk of shedding her LPGA card with out having to make use of a one-time profession cash exemption.
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