2020 KPMG Women's PGA Championship: Round 2 highlights

Round 2 of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship started with America’s Brittany Lincicome and Malaysia’s Kelly Tan as the overnight leaders.

But they were fully aware that the rest of the field weren’t about to just let them cruise ahead unchallenged.

However, they did have one less competitor to worry about.

Before she was due to go out for Round 2 with Lydia Ko and Charley Hull, 22-year-old Nelly Korda announced on social media that she was withdrawing from the tournament due to “discomfort” in her back.

As she was the original favourite to win going into the weekend, this left the trophy even more open to a surprise champion.

So, here are the talking points from Round 2…

Sei Young Kim takes a late lead

Even as the last few groups started to come home, we still thought we were going to be left with a four-way share of the overnight lead.

But as darkness fell Friday at Aronimink, South Korea’s Sei Young Kim birdied five of her last 6 holes.

The 27-year-old finished 5-under and 65 and she was helped by the fact that the wind finally dropped a touch.

When we entered the front nine, the wind kind of slowed down and it was kind of easier to attack with my irons," she said.

Danielle Kang returns on form

27-year-old Danielle Kang started the return of the LPGA with two back-to-back wins at the Drive On Championship and Marathon Classic so really, it was always going to be hard to top that.

Some of the following tournaments saw her fail to reach the heady heights of her first few starts back, finishing T49 at the Walmart NW Arkansas and T32 at the AIG Women’s Open.

But it looks like she’s now on a mission to make it three wins in the space of a few months and also win the KPMG for the second time (she last lifted the trophy in 2017).

Yesterday she said she was relishing this notoriously long and difficult course.

“I really truly enjoy the challenge. It's difficult. Some days you succeed and some days you fail, and I think that's the beauty of a challenging golf course, and Aronimink itself, it's just bringing a lot of challenges. It's fun.”

After finishing Round 2 she shared the clubhouse lead with fellow American Jennifer Kupcho, who finished five under with a super score of 65.

Only a month ago, Jennifer decided to switch back to the irons she played with in college, and it looks like it was a very good move…

After 36 holes four players are T2 – Danielle, Jennifer, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist.

Carlota Ciganda has got her strength back

In June Spain’s Carlota Ciganda tested positive for COVID-19.

She suffered muscle aches, headaches and had a high fever, but this week it’s clear that she’s not suffering any hangovers from the virus.

She took the solo lead at four under after 16 holes and she eventually finished T2 and three under.

The Brits continued their charge

Jodi Ewart Shadoff once again proved she is a player to reckon with by finishing top out of the British girls at T11.

Playing in a pair with Lydia Ko after Nelly Korda pulled out, Charley finished one over at 71.

After starting with a bogey on the 1st, she kept up a bogey-free streak all the way until the 18th.

Meanwhile, Laura Davies shot an even round of 70 that featured four birdies.

Laura is the only English player to ever with the KPMG (formerly the LPGA Championship), and she managed it twice in both 1994 and 1996.

Finally, Mel Reid and Georgia Hall both finished 36 holes T39.

Brooke’s fans came to crash

Canadian’s are known for being a friendly bunch, and the fact that the event was held without spectators didn’t stop Brooke Henderson’s fans from showing their support for her.

Two keen Brooke fans turned up to watch the star as she teed off on the 5th hole.

They even brought along a Canadian flag to drape over the fence as the 2016 KPMG Champion teed off.

It’s possibly my favourite moment of the tournament so far.

Thanks to fellow golf writer Adam Stanley for highlighting it on Twitter.

She completed a super round of 69, which included this magnificant approach to the green on the 15th hole.

Shots of the day

Jennifer Song’s amazing birdie putt on the 15th

Inbee Park’s killer approach and putt for birdie on the 12th

Lexi Thompson casually smashing a perfect drive 270 yards

Germany’s Isa Gabsa showing off her delicate touch around the greens