Ryu posts 2-shot advantage
GWANGJU, South Korea — Haeran Ryu fired an eight-under-par 64 highlighted by two eagles to seize a two-stroke lead a fter the second round of the LPGA tournament in South Korea on Friday, while American Andrea Lee celebrated a hole-in-one that generated a $20,000 donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
World No. 3 Ryu carded birdies on her final two holes to reach 13-under 131 after 36 holes at Pine Beach Golf Links.
Minsum Kim matched Ryu’s bogey-free 64 to share second place at 11-under with American Lauren Coughlin, who shot 66.
European Solheim Cup player Julia Lopez Ramirez carded a 67, while Australia’s Karis Davidson, a co-leader after the opening round, returned a 68. They shared fourth place at 10-under.
Defending champion Sei Young Kim shot 67 to reach five-under, while Ruoning Yin, who won last week’s tournament in Shanghai, is not competing this week.
The tour’s Asian swing continues next week with the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the third of four events on the late-season swing.
Meanwhile, Lee recorded the highlight of the day with an ace on the par-3 eighth hole, using a choked-down 9-iron from 122 yards.
“It honestly came when I least expected it,” Lee said. “I wasn’t even looking at the car. I just wanted to hit a good shot, and somehow it went in.”
Lee said she was deciding between a pitching wedge and a 9-iron before opting for the latter, gripping down on the club with a light wind behind her.
“As soon as it landed, I was like, oh, that has a chance, and it disappeared,” she said. “Everyone was quiet. I was like, did it go in?”
The hole-in-one helped highlight a six-under 66 featuring six birdies and two bogeys. Lee stood tied for 64th at even par after two rounds.
Her previous ace came three or four years ago during a pro-am at the LPGA Shanghai, where the prize was a toy Buick.
“I was like, I don’t want this. I want the real thing,” Lee said. “So I got the real thing today.”
Beyond the excitement, Lee’s ace carried a charitable benefit. CME Group will donate $20,000 on her behalf to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the CME Group Cares Challenge — Score 1 for St. Jude, which supports childhood cancer treatment and research.
Lee’s hole-in-one marked the 23rd donation of the season, bringing the campaign’s total to $460,000.
“CME does so much for this tour, and we really appreciate all the support,” Lee said.