Brittany Lincicome fired a four-under-par 68 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the LPGA Championship, the fourth major of the LPGA season.
The American, whose resume includes a major title at the 2009 Kraft Nabisco Championship, had a 36-hole total of nine-under-par 135.
She was in great shape to make a weekend run at a fifth tour title, and her first since the 2011 Canadian Women’s Open.
Photo: Mark Konezny - USA TODAY
American Lexi Thompson, the reigning Kraft Nabisco champion who shared the first-round lead with South Korea’s Meena Lee, carded an even-par 72 and shared second place on 138 with defending champion and former world No. 1 Inbee Park.
South Korea’s Park climbed up the leaderboard with a six-under 66.
New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko, who could seize the world No. 1 ranking from Stacy Lewis with a first major win this week, carded a 69 to head a group tied on 139.
She was joined by overnight co-leader Lee, who signed for a 73, and American Jane Park, who posted a 69 at Monroe Golf Club.
Lincicome had three birdies, one bogey and an eagle on the 14th hole.
“It’s been incredible,” Lincicome said of her first two rounds. “I haven’t been here in a while so it’s pretty exciting anytime you can shoot under par, especially at a major. I feel like all year I’ve been doing a lot of good things, hitting well, putting well, chipping well, they just don’t seem to all come together on the same day. So it was nice to play the last two days and just kind of feel like I was out there doing my thing and there was not too much stress involved.”
Taiwan’s former No. 1 Yani Tseng shot a 75 for a total one-over 145, while her compatriot Candie Kung carded a 72 for two-over 146.
Half a dozen players were tied on 140. They included 2007 champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway, who shot 69, and 2012 winner Feng Shanshan of China, who signed for a 72.
They were joined by South Korea’s Lee Mi-rim (71), Paraguay’s Julieta Granada (65), Spain’s Beatriz Recari (70) and American Jennifer Johnson (70).
Lincicome said she will try not to worry about who is chasing her.
“I am still going to try to birdie as many holes as I possibly can,” she said. “Especially Inbee, she can shoot 61 like it’s nothing.
“So it doesn’t matter how big a lead you have with her behind you and Lexi or Lydia even. You just need to keep your same game plan that I’ve had and try to take advantage of the par fives and just see if we can stay ahead of all of them,” Lincicome said.
Thompson, a long-hitter like Lincicome, said she would be aggressive in her pursuit.
“I have nothing to lose,” she said.
Inbee Park, whose last two finishes were a fourth place at the Women’s British Open and a playoff loss last week in Michigan, thinks she could be on the brink of a breakthrough.
“I just came so close the last two weeks,” she said. “I feel like something is around the corner. Hopefully, I can do it this week in a major. That would be great.”
Additional reporting by staff writer
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely