The second round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia is in the books and there are a number of key takeaways so far.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
The LPGA season will soon come to a close as the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia is a part of the final stretch of the season. 500 points are on the line in the Race to the CME Globe so some of the best golfers are out looking to add to their totals.
Through the first 18-holes at TPC Kuala Lumpur, Amy Yang was leading the field, holding a one stroke lead. After the second round, Yang extended that lead. She shot a two-under 69 in the rain delayed second round to pull her tournament score to 10-under. Her lead is now three strokes headed into the weekend.
Before the third round gets under way, here’s a few takeaways from the second round.
Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Marina Alex Off To Hot Start
Marina Alex is still win-less in her short LPGA career. The American native is just a few seasons into her career on the LPGA but her first win has been elusive. This year she has a few top-10 finishes. At the Manulife LPGA Classic, she finished in a tie for eighth and then at the LPGA Volvik Championship she finished in a tie for sixth. Her top-10 finishes means she has come close but just needs a bit more work to earn that first win.
This week at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia she is off to a hot start as she works to secure that first career win. After 18 holes, Alex sat alone in second place after a six-under 65 placed her just two strokes off the lead.
Alex took a step back in round two, but still finds herself very much in the race. A one-over 72 dropped her to five-under for the tournament with five strokes separating her from leader, Amy Yang. As she sits in a tie for 10th, a pair of solid rounds could mean she’s got her first career win.
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Suzann Pettersen Playing Well With New Clubs
Nike’s exit from the golf equipment industry has been well documented and many people have been affected as they race to find new balls and clubs. Like Rory McIlroy, Suzann Pettersen is faced with having to choose a new brand of clubs to play. Coincidentally, as McIlroy tries out new clubs this week at the WGC-HSBC Champions, Pettersen is also trying out new clubs at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia this week. Fortunately for her, her test is off to a great start.
Pettersen shot a five-under 66 in the first round and sat in a tie for third, three strokes off the leading pace.
In the second round, Pettersen dropped a couple of birdies with those new clubs but a double bogey on the 18th hole spoiled her round as she shot a modest one-over 72. Despite dropping a stroke to her now four-under tournament score, Petersen is still in contention as she sits in a tie for 13th.
Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jessica Korda Battling As She Aims To Repeat
Last year, Jessica Korda blew away the field at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. The American native shot an 18-under tournament score. By the end of the tournament, she was a full four strokes ahead of the next closest competitor.
This year, she didn’t get off the best start to defending her title. Her first round even 71, placed her in a tie for 30th with an eight stroke deficit in front of her.
However, Korda fought back in round two and made a charge up the leaderboard. She posted a three-under 68 to climb up into a tie for 17th. With two rounds remaining, she’s behind by seven strokes but if she keeps battling her way up the leaderboard, like she did in round two, she might just defend her title.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia – Day 2 Leaderboard
1. Amy Yang – (-10)
T2. Mi Jung Hur – (-7)
T2. Candie Kung – (-7)
T2. Anna Nordqvist – (-7)
T5. Ha Na Jang – (-6)
T5. Michelle Wie – (-6)
T5. Shanshan Feng – (-6)
T5. Azahara Munoz – (-6)
T5. Jenny Shin – (-6)
T10. Brittany Lincicome – (-5)
T10. Danielle Kang – (-5)
T10. Marina Alex – (-5)
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