Korea's Sei Young Kim rolled in an eagle putt on 18th hole for a closing 7-under-par 65 to top the Major leaderboard at the ANA Inspiration. Scotland's Catriona Matthew (pictured) shares third place.
Sei Young Kim rolled in an eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole for a closing 7-under-par 65 to top the Major leaderboard at the halfway stage at the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club, California. She leads American and first-round leader Morgan Pressel by two shots.
With rounds of 71 and 69, Scotland's Catriona Matthew (pictured) shares third place, while England's Charley Hull shares 13th place with eight other players including Sweden's Caroline Hedwall and Pernilla Lindberg.
Only once before has Kim held the 36-hole lead, the 2015 Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic, which she ended up closing out for her first LPGA win in a three-player playoff. She’s one of those players that doesn’t seem to be bothered by any pressure and won four of her five KLPGA Tour victories in playoffs. This is her third appearance in an LPGA major and her best finish at one is 46th at the U.S. Women’s Open last year. She tied for 61st at this event a year ago.
Lydia Ko’s record-tying streak of 29 consecutive sub-par rounds came to a close, ending in a tie with Annika Sorenstam’s record of 29 after Ko shot a 1-over-par 73. Ko, the 17-year old world No. 1, was disappointed for the streak to end but won’t be upset to see the hype around it go.
“I mean, it was pretty awesome that I was near Annika’s record last week and even yesterday, and then I tied it,” Ko said. “It was so cool that I’m tying with someone amazing and as great as her. I was like, man, I would love to reach 30 in a way. But as I said before, I’m relieved that this question is not going to be asked, but I think 29 – I wasn’t counting and 29 under-par rounds is pretty good in my book.”
The cut this week fell at 73 players at 3-over par 147. Notables to miss the cut: Jessica Korda (+5), Lizette Salas (+6), Beatriz Recari (+6), Yani Tseng (+8).
