MENLO PARK, Calif. — Kim Hyo-joo doubled her result in 4 strokes Friday on the Fortinet Founders Cup, capping off a late-afternoon rally with a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-3 eighth.
Kim shot a 70 within the afternoon spherical at wooded Sharon Heights, the day after eagle out on the par-5 18th gap and gap out with a 9-under 63 for a two-shot lead.
Gabby Lopez, who shot a 70 within the morning session, took second place at 7 below, with group leaders Gino Titicle and Nelly Korda one stroke behind.
Enjoying on the again 9 on the primary Friday, Kim had bogeys on Nos. 11 and 17, however then bounced again with birdies on Nos. 18, 1, 3 and eight.
“The golf course is a bit of tough,” Kim mentioned. “The tee shot is tough and the course form is a bit of tough. I am simply doing my finest to do what I’ve to do.”
The South Korean, ranked No. 8 on the planet, received the 2015 Founders Cup in Phoenix, his second of seven LPGA Tour wins.
“It’s been a very long time,” Kim mentioned of his 2015 win. “I feel I used to be capable of win in my rookie 12 months. It was my first win as an LPGA member, so it was an unforgettable reminiscence.”
Kim, who completed third in a tie final month, would be the defending champion on the Ford Championship in Wild Horse Cross, Arizona subsequent week.
Lopez, a local of Mexico, made three birdies on the entrance 9 and dropped one shot on the par-4 sixteenth.
Titikul bounced again from an early rating of 72 to 66 within the afternoon. She began with a bogey and made 5 of her subsequent seven birdies. He had birdies on 12 and 18 on the again 9.
“To begin with, it’s a must to be within the fairway,” Seakle mentioned. “Search for the green. The tough was tough.”
Korda, who skipped the Asian swing after profitable the opening spherical in Florida, shot a 68 within the morning to maneuver to six below. He made late birdies on the seventh and eighth.
“It is powerful. We actually have to get into form right here,” Korda mentioned. “Among the timber are a bit of intimidating and the greens are powerful too. It’s totally undulating and in addition a bit of arduous to learn at instances.”
Minjee Lee (70), Aditi Ashok (66), Caris Davidson (68). Choi Hye-jin (70) and Lim Jin-hee (72) have been additionally 6 below. After making 4 birdies in a row, Lee completed with a bogey.
“We’ve a bit of bit to scrub up, however I feel we’re in a fairly good place heading into the weekend,” Lee mentioned.
The event started in honor of the 13 founders of the LPGA. It started in Arizona in 2011 and was held in Florida final 12 months for the second event of the season. The event will characteristic eight of the highest 10 gamers on the planet rankings and can start a run of 4 consecutive tournaments within the West forward of the 12 months’s first main event.
