LPGA ascendant: Hyo Joo Kim maintains her lead as Lexi Thompson advances
South Korean Hyo Joo Kim heads into the third round of the Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America, with a two-shot lead over Paraguayan Sofia Garcia; American Lexi Thompson moves to six under par; watch live on Sky Sports Golf red button
Last updated: 07/10/23 8:51 a.m.
Hyo Joo Kim leads LPGA Ascendant in Texas
Hyo Joo Kim protected her lead with a three-under 68 in the second round of The Ascendant LPGA on Friday at The Colony, Texas.
The South Korean, ranked world number 7, improved to 10-under 132 after two rounds and will begin the weekend two strokes ahead of Paraguayan Sofia Garcia, who kept pace with a 68 on Friday.
American Lexi Thompson found herself tied for third place at six under with Frenchwoman Céline Boutier.
Thompson shot the lowest round of the day, a 65, to reach six under while Boutier signed for a 67.
Kim opened his round at Old American Golf Club on the back nine with a series of seven pars.
She finally broke that by making birdies at Nos. 17, 18 and one before adding a birdie and a bogey the rest of the way.
“My shots were better than yesterday but unfortunately the score was not as good as yesterday,” Kim said. “But I hit the green a lot more, so I’m happy with that.
“There were a few hiccups here and there in the middle of the round, so after I eat I’ll practice and work on it.”
Kim, 28, has five LPGA Tour victories but is seeking her first since April 2022.
“I’ve been at the top of the rankings a few times this season, but the weekend games haven’t been as good,” Kim said.
“This week I hope to focus more on my game and play as well as the first day and today and finish strong.”
Garcia, 25, is a tour rookie who has made only three of 12 cuts this season and finished no better than tied for 31st. After her opening 66th round, she remained steady on Friday with four birdies and just one bogey. .
“I had a few chips,” Garcia said.
“There were a few holes where I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. I had a short, solid game and that made me stay patient and I was also able to take advantage of the good shots.”
Thompson, meanwhile, is fighting for her first LPGA victory since 2019.
Starting on the back nine, Thompson sandwiched four birdies around a single bogey.
She added three birdies on the front nine, including consecutive ones at numbers seven and eight.
Thompson moved to six under par for the round and tournament when she birdied the par-four eighth.
“I made a lot of good chips, I made a lot of good putts and a lot of good golf shots,” Thompson said. “I’m really committed to doing a lot of things there.
“That’s really all I’ve tried to rely on.”
Ireland’s Leona Maguire (67 Friday), Maria Torres of the Dominican Republic (68), Spain’s Azahara Munoz (71) and American Marina Alex (70) are tied for fifth at five under.
Among those who failed to reach par at two were tour winners Alexa Pano, England’s Bronte Law and South Africa’s Paula Reto, all at three.
Watch the Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America, live on the Sky Sports Golf Red Button.
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