Rookie Laura Nochta posted her second consecutive round in the 60s to hold on to her lead today after the second round of the $110,000 Florida’s Natural Charity Classic.
The Indiana University graduate carded a 3-under 69 to stay out front at 8-under 136 in the LPGA Futures Tour’s season opener at Lake Region Yacht and Country Club.
She leads Tzu-Chi Lin (68) of Taichung, Taiwan, and Jackie Barenborg (68) of Vero Beach, Fla., both at 7-under 137.
“I struggled off the tee today,” admitted Nochta, 23, of Cortland, Ohio, who hit only seven fairways and 11 greens, but used 26 putts in her round. “It was a pitch and putt contest for me and I made a couple of clutch putts.”
Lin, who was a member of the Chinese Taipei National Team with LPGA star Yani Tseng, currently ranked No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings, carded five birdies and a single bogey in today’s second round to steadily move up the leaderboard. The key to her round was she “hit them close” and converted.
“My putter was good today,” said the 20-year-old third-year pro. “I feel very comfortable. I think I can do better tomorrow and keep going.”
Barenborg, who played college golf 20 miles away at Florida Southern College, took advantage of her home-state gallery support in today’s round and rattled off five birdies in her first 12 holes. But the real incentive in her round was playing in the same pairing with Lin. The two players fed off each other and finished tied, one shot off the lead.
“It was nice because if one us birdied, the other one birdied the next hole,” said Barenborg, 24, who hit 15 greens in regulation. “It was fun.”
A total of 47 players carded rounds of even-par 144 or better.
Seventy-three players made the 36-hole cut at 147 (+3). It was the lowest cut in the tournament’s three-year history.
