BELLEAIR, Fla. — Charley Hull made five birdies on Friday for a 4-under 66 that gave him a two-way lead and an extra day for his offseason vacation, as well as a weekend date with Nelly Korda at Annika.
Hull, who won in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago to end a two-year winless drought, had three birdies on the five-hole back nine at Pelican Golf Club.
Korda, playing for the first time in nearly two months due to a minor neck injury, started with a bogey and finished with back-to-back birdies in his round of 68. He was two shots behind and will be in the Hull final team.
About that holiday?
It turns out that Hull made a bet with her boyfriend that she could add one extra day to her holiday in Europe for every round she made five birdies. He made seven birdies on Thursday.
“I played really well,” Hull said. “It was really windy, really bad. Yeah, I made five birdies today, an extra day off.”
Alexa Pano made nine birdies before her round ended with a double bogey. It was still good enough that 64 left his shot behind, along with Jin Hee Im (65), Wichanee Meechai (66) and Mi Hyang Lee (68).
Pano is at No. 66 in Race to CME Globe. This is the final tournament for the top 60 to qualify for next week’s CME Group Tour Championship, where the winner of the season finale will receive $4 million.
Lee is No. 59 and has taken a big step to make sure he goes down the Gulf of Naples.
But the weekend’s attention is high — Hull, England’s unassuming character who has earned a huge confidence rating, and Korda, the leading lady in women’s golf who took time out to join other athletes asking for a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. .
“I always enjoy playing with Charley. It’s always a fun time. Hopefully, we give a good show,” said Korda.
Hull was at 10-under 130.
The wind was strong enough that Korda’s main goal was to try to keep his shots high. Add that to the green vegetables, and you’re good for another 66.
“They’re smart, yeah. It’s almost like putting on ice,” Korda said. “They do a really good job with the golf course, especially with the wind and the way the greens are. I feel like when the greens are tight and fast, the wind plays a big role in the putts because it seems like. it’s just a slow putt.”
Mexico’s Gabby Lopez entered the church at No. 61 in the Race to CME Globe and posted a 66 to join the group in a tie for eighth at 5-under 135, five shots back. Also at 135 was Carlota Ciganda, Spain’s Solheim Cup regular at number 63.
Also at stake this week is keeping a full LPGA card in the top 100. Yuri Yoshida entered the church at No. 100 and missed the cut. Also missing the deadline was former grand champion Hyo Joo Kim, who was 58th in the points table and may not make the final week.
Source link
