BELLAIRE, Fla. — Lynne Grant shot a 7-under 63 at Anika on Friday to share the lead with Grace Kim. Defending champion Nelly Korda made a giant breakthrough with a 63, however Kai Trump was nonetheless far behind in final place, regardless of rising his lead by eight strokes.
“It was very, very stable. I hit some actually good photographs,” mentioned Grant, the Swede who gained his solely LPGA Tour title on the 2023 Dana Open. “The tee-to-green was superb right now. I felt like I performed the identical method yesterday, however I did not make any putts, and right now I made a whole lot of putts.”
Kim shot a 66 at Pelican Golf Membership to tie with Grant at 9-under 131. Kim gained her first main title on the Evian Championships in France in July and was instrumental in Australia’s latest worldwide crown.
“I simply stored up my mojo,” Kim mentioned. “I simply tried to hit a whole lot of fairways and make a whole lot of putts. That most likely helped me hit it nearer right now and get a better birdie. I feel I actually stayed in my lane.”
Trump is the granddaughter of President Donald Trump. The highschool senior, enjoying on a sponsor exemption, shot a 75 after beginning with an 83. After 18 overs, he was on the backside of the 108 gamers by six strokes.
“I used to be actually nervous the primary day,” she mentioned. “I feel the nerves got here by way of. Once I got here out right now, I truthfully felt very calm and peaceable. That is why I performed higher.”
First-round chief Heran Liu adopted up her early 64 with a 68, dropping her to a tie for third place with Jennifer Kupcho (66) at 8 below. Gabby Lopez shot a 64 for 7 below.
Korda birdied the ultimate three holes to maneuver to six below.
“I simply took benefit of my good photographs,” Korda mentioned. “Really, I did not play unhealthy in any respect yesterday. I went to the follow vary after the sport after which I went to the placing inexperienced and I simply mentioned to myself, ‘It is a contemporary day and also you by no means know what is going on to occur.'” I got here out and began benefiting from higher photographs somewhat extra. ”
Korda gained final 12 months’s match, changing into the primary participant in 13 years to win seven video games in a season. She hasn’t gained but this 12 months.
Auston Kim (65) additionally completed at 6 below, together with Carlota Ciganda (65) and Lauren Coughlin (66).
The highest 60 finishers within the “Race to CME Globe” will qualify for subsequent week’s season finale, the CME Group Tour Championship, the place all 60 will win $2 million in prize cash.
