Libby Smith of the USA took the outright lead of the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament today, carding a 3-under 69 to take a two-shot lead at 8-under 136 after two rounds on the Legends Course at the LPGA International.
Smith leads Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand and Jimin Jeong of South Korea, who are tied for second at 6-under 138. A 13-time winner in Asia, Phatlum carded the day’s low round of 6-under 66 on the Champions Course at LPGA International. It was the second day of unseasonably cold weather with temperatures in the high 50s and strong winds.
“It feels good to play good golf and make some putts,” said Smith, 30, who has spent most of the last six years playing the LPGA Futures Tour with three years of partial status on the LPGA Tour. “It’s all about tempo for me and rolling my putts on the right lines. The greens are true here, and if you’re rolling them well, you’re rewarded.”
Smith carded six birdies and three bogeys in a round that was highlighted by three consecutive birdies on holes 13, 14 and 15.
Jeong also needed only 28 putts today and said she leaned on her putter more today because of the relentless winds, carding a 3-under 69. Her round featured four birdies and a single bogey.
“My shots were not so good, but my putting was,” said Jeong, a third-year LPGA member and three-time winner on the LPGA Futures Tour. “I have been to the final stage of Q-school a few other times, but this year, I have more confidence in what I’m doing.”
Phatlum, a fifth-year pro who has spent the last two years competing on both the LPGA and Futures Tours, posted six top-five finishes this season on the Futures Tour. Most recently, she posted three more top-six finishes at two Ladies European Tour events in China and in India. Today, the Thai player known for her steady style of play, tallied seven birdies and one bogey with 26 putts.
“I played according to my plan today and my putter was good,” said Phatlum, 21, who finished 10th on the 2010 LPGA Futures Tour’s money list.
Aree Song of South Korea, played the Champions Course at even-par 72 today to move into fourth place alone at 5-under 139.
First-round co-leader Reilley Rankin (72) of South Carolina and Belen Mozo (72) of Spain, are tied for fifth at 4-under 140. Shasta Averyhardt (71) of Michigan and Mollie Fankhauser (71) of Ohio, share seventh place at 3-under 141.
Twelve players are under par after the second round, with a total of 20 players at even-par 144 or better.
The five-round qualifier will cut to 70 players and ties after 72 holes.
The LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament has proven to be one of the most difficult tests in golf and the weather in Daytona Beach, Florida and is showing no sign of relief. Weather conditions deteriorated in the second round as temperatures reached a high of 13C and winds gusted to a howling 25 mph.
Danielle McVeigh’s campaign to secure LPGA playing rights for 2011 took a major setback on Thursday after carding nine bogeys in round 2 at LPGA International - Champions and Legends Course Daytona Beach, Florida.
In what has been a solid season for the most part this year McVeigh failed to show her usual consistency dropping six shots on the front nine to reach the turn in 42 strokes – adding another three bogeys on holes 12, 16 and 17 to sign for an 81.
McVeigh is in 112th place on 14 over par.
