Cydney Clanton holed out for eagle on the 13th hole and then made birdie on 18 to close in sole possession of the 36-hole lead at 9-under, 135. Clanton followed her 68 on Thursday with a 5-under, 67 on Friday. It’s the first time she has ever held the 36-hole lead at an LPGA event.
“I played really good and made some clutch putts coming in,” said Clanton. “The hole out was pretty special, any time you don’t have to putt is nice.”
Clanton was 72 yards out and the ball one hopped about 10 feet short of the pin and then slammed right in.
“I haven't been in this position in a long time. I won back in 2013 (on the Epson Tour) and wasn't even in the lead at all that tournament. Just came back and won. It has been awhile since I've been in the lead, so tomorrow (Saturday) just going to take it one shot at a time, one hole at a time."
Clanton, a rookie in 2012, has four career top 10 finishes, but no wins.
Behind Clanton, there’s a logjam highlighted by Ariya Juanugarn, who turned in a second straight 68 to share second at 8-under, 136.
Marina Alex, who shared the low round of the day at 66, is also at 8-under along with Karine Icher and Mariajo Uribe.
Jutanugarn made five birdies against just one bogey, but said she didn’t have her best stuff.
“I actually didn’t hit it that well today, maybe I had some luck (on my side),” explained Jutanugarn. “I still had so much fun out there and I’m working on my commitment.”
Alex, who finished in a tie for fifth in Australia, posted a bogey-free round with three birdies on the front and three on the back.
Jessica Korda and Mo Martin are two back while Michelle Wie and Brittany Lincicome are part of five players at 6-under and three back.
Mo Martin Feeling Great with the Putter
Mo Martin heard the “Go Mo” chants as she walked up to the 18th green at Wildfire Golf Club. She went a bit long and had to chip on, but calmly completed the up-and-down for par to cap off a 66 to get to 7-under and two back.
“I was able to play my game, make my putts,” said Martin, who attempted 28 putts on Friday. “I've had a feeling that this year was going to be a good year. My game is in a special place, so just nice to see it come together.”
Martin detailed her switch from a long putter to a short putter in 2013. It was the (Ricoh Women’s) British Open at St. Andrews when she first picked up the Callaway putter and her coach, Ian Triggs, told her she had a better stroke with the short putter.
“I think I’m just getting to a special place now where I am feeling very comfortable (with the putter),” explained Martin. “It was hard to give up the old putter, I had it for a decade.”
Martin named the old putter “Mona” and joked that her current putter is going to be named “Monet”.
She won the British Open the following year and that remains the lone win of her career. Comfort with the putter may change that this weekend.
Wie Under Par in Over 50 Percent of Her Rounds
The growing crowd at Wildfire Golf Club that was wrapped from midway down the fairway on both sides and packed behind the green waiting with anticipation as Michelle Wie readied her 15-footer at her last, number nine. As she struck the putt, excitement grew as the line was perfect and the ball rolled right in to stamp a 4-under, 68 to get to 6-under through two rounds.
She was in a share of second midway through round two.
“That putt felt good, I felt like I was misreading a lot of putts so it felt good to read them right on holes seven and nine,” explained Wie. “It always feels good to end with a birdie.”
Wie made six birdies in round two and attempted only 27 putts.
“I had a lot of fun out there today, I felt like I made some stupid errors, but made up for them with some good putts,” said the 28-year-old. “I’m definitely ready for the weekend.”
Wie has now been under-par in 10 of her 13 rounds this season. Her only over-par round was in the Bahamas at the season opener.
“I’m just trying to build confidence every round and every shot,” said Wie. “I’m also trying to keep it consistent.”
The confidence is building and the Tour is certainly taking notice. Wie has been 4-under or better in over half her rounds this season - 7 of 13.
Icher Has a Special Guest Watching
Karine Icher, who has played on Tour since 2003, posted another strong round to stay in the hunt. After her 69 to get to 8-under, she snapped a picture with two-time LPGA winner Anne Marie Palli, who follows the French players every year at the Founders Cup.
Palli won on the LPGA Tour in 1983 and 1992.
"It's nice having her following us, not only me, but the other French player," said Icher. "It's a great support. She always has a joke and she always smile."
Trending on Social
)
)
)
