by Chinas Liu Yan made a breathtaking Albatross and a closing birdie to take a lead with a bar when the second round of the LPGA Chevron Championship heard on Friday on Friday.
The 27-year-old sank a 15-foot bird-putt on the 18th hole with Par-five to reach a level par 72 and to take the lead to seven under 137 for 36 holes in Carlton Woods in the first major women’s tournament of the year.
“I am glad that I did this last birdie,” she said. “Today I had so many putts so close. The last hole was my first birdie today, so I’m very happy.”
Lius, however, came on the Par-Five-Echter when she spent her second shot from 170 meters with a seven-iron.
“There was the wind and I met a really solid driver on the Fairway,” said Liu. “I took my seven iron and yes, it was pretty crazy.”
It was the first albatros in a women’s major since American Morgan pressed one at the British Open 2015.
Liu hopes to make her first LPGA triumph a great win, but a variety of rivals was hot on her heels.
The American Lindy Duncan Birte her last three holes to shoot 66 and divided second place in 138 with compatriot Sarah Schmelzel, Japan’s Mao Saigo and South Korean Kim Hyo-Joo.
The South Korean Choi Hye-Jin and Ryu Hae-Ran, American Angel Yin and Belgium Manon de Roey were 139.
A 90-minute Morning fog delay meant that the round of the darkness with nine players ended. You will complete the second round on Saturday morning before the cut is carried out and the third round is played.
Among those who are still on the course, Zhang Weiwei was China with three remaining holes on five below.
Liu, who started playing Golf with her mother 15 years ago, has a best LPGA career from third party at the 2023 Shoprite Classic.
She had opened at 65 to share the 18-hole lead, but stumbled with Bogeys for the first and sixth holes, just to answer with the Albatross stunner.
After a bogey on the ninth, Lius was a lead in one fell swoop. She agreed to the next six holes before she made Bogey at the age of 16 and missed an eight-meter-long par-putt to fall back to get back into the top with her closing bird.
“I think I will definitely feel a bit (pressure) because this is a major compartment,” said Liu. “I know that the course will be more difficult, so I think I just stay patient, calm because I am a very emotional person.”
JS/BB
