Hye-Jin Choi has seized a share of the lead at The Annika, positioning herself for a maiden LPGA Tour victory after carding a three-under 67 on Friday. Despite opening with two bogeys, the 28-year-old American recovered with a crucial 15-foot eagle putt late in the round to join Carlota Ciganda and Lindy Duncan at the top of the leaderboard. The trio now heads into the weekend at Pelican Golf Club with a three-way tie, setting the stage for a decisive final two days of competition.
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World No. 1 Nelly Korda, returning to competition after a two-month hiatus, found herself four shots back following a bogey-free 69. Although her scorecard was technically clean, Korda admitted the conditions were more challenging than the numbers suggested, citing 15 consecutive pars and a single birdie. “I had a lot of chances,” Korda noted, highlighting the extreme speed of the greens which she compared to Bermuda, a surface known for its difficulty. The wind and fast putting surfaces have defined the course defense, testing even the tour’s elite.
The pressure is mounting on Korda, as a victory at The Annika would make her eligible for the LPGA Hall of Fame. However, Solheim Cup star Carlota Ciganda remains a formidable threat, navigating the tricky conditions with ease. Fans can follow the decisive third round of The Annika live on Sky Sports Mix from 7pm on Saturday, where the battle for the title will intensify as the leaders attempt to hold off the chasing pack.
Source: Sky Sports
