BELLEAIR, Fla. — Charley Hull made 5 birdies Friday for a 4-under 66 that gave her a two-shot lead and an additional day of her offseason vacation, together with a weekend date with Nelly Korda at The Annika.
Hull, who received in Saudi Arabia two weeks in the past to finish a two-year winless drought, pulled away with three birdies in a five-hole stretch on the again 9 at Pelican Golf Membership.
Korda, taking part in for the primary time in practically two months due to a minor neck harm, began with a bogey and completed with back-to-back birdies in her spherical of 68. She was two pictures behind and can be within the ultimate group with Hull.
As for that vacation?
Seems Hull made a guess together with her boyfriend that she may add one further day to her trip to Europe for each spherical she makes 5 birdies. She made seven birdies Thursday.
“I performed fairly stable,” Hull stated. “It was fairly windy, so fairly difficult. Yeah, made 5 birdies at this time so further day on vacation.”
Alexa Pano made 9 birdies earlier than her spherical ended with a double bogey. It nonetheless was adequate for a 64 that left her three pictures behind, together with Jin Hee Im (65), Wichanee Meechai (66) and Mi Hyang Lee (68).
Pano is at No. 66 within the Race to CME Globe. That is the ultimate event to be among the many prime 60 who qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship subsequent week, the place the winner of the season finale will get $4 million.
Lee is at No. 59 and took an enormous step towards ensuring she is down the Gulf coast in Naples.
However the consideration for the weekend is on the prime — Hull, the carefree character from England who has discovered an enormous dose of confidence, and Korda, the most effective in girls’s golf who took time to affix different athletes posing for the Sports activities Illustrated swimsuit problem.
“I all the time take pleasure in taking part in with Charley. She’s all the time a enjoyable time. Hopefully, we give a very good present,” Korda stated.
Hull was at 10-under 130.
The wind was robust sufficient that Korda’s major aim was to attempt to preserve her pictures pin-high. Add that to slick greens, and she or he did nicely for one more 66.
“They’re slick, yeah. It’s like placing on ice nearly,” Korda stated. “They’re doing a extremely good job with the golf course, particularly with the wind and the way slick the greens are. I really feel like when the greens get that agency and quick the wind truly performs an even bigger function within the putts as a result of it appears to simply form of play with the putt slightly bit extra.”
Gabby Lopez of Mexico got here into the week at No. 61 within the Race to CME Globe and posted a 66 to affix the group in a tie for eighth at 5-under 135, 5 pictures behind. Additionally at 135 was Carlota Ciganda, a Solheim Cup common from Spain who’s at No. 63.
Additionally at stake this week is protecting a full LPGA card for the 100. Yuri Yoshida got here into the week at No. 100 and missed the minimize. Additionally lacking the minimize was former main champion Hyo Joo Kim, who was at No. 58 on the factors checklist and won’t make it to the ultimate week.