Park Sung-hyun and Kim A-rim's Strong Performance "Chasing Joint 13th Place"... Lee Min-ji Leads by 3 Strokes

Founders Cup Day 2: Thompson and Sakstrom Tied for 2nd, Choi Woon-jung and Jeon Ji-won Tied for 13th, Ko Jin-young Tied for 22nd in '3rd Consecutive Win Challenge'

Park Sung-hyun is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the second day of the Cognizant Founders Cup. Clifton, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz
Photo by Multivitz

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the strong performance of Park Sung-hyun (29), a '7-time LPGA champion.'

On the 14th (Korean time), at the Clifton Upper Montclair Golf Club in New Jersey, USA (par 72, 6,536 yards), during the second day of the LPGA Tour Cognizant Founders Cup (total prize money $3 million), she added 2 under par to stand tied for 13th place (6 under par 138 strokes). Minjee Lee (Australia) leads (14 under par 130 strokes), with Lexi Thompson (USA) and Madelene Saxstrom (Sweden) tied for 2nd place (11 under par 133 strokes) in pursuit.

Starting tied for 14th place, 5 strokes behind, Park Sung-hyun made 3 birdies (1 bogey). After 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 2 and 4, she smoothly continued with a birdie on the 7th hole (par 4), but was halted by a bogey on the 8th hole (par 3). It was a bit disappointing that she couldn't reduce her strokes on the remaining 10 holes. She missed the fairway 4 times and the green 3 times. However, the round's 32 putts were a hindrance. She is 1 stroke behind the tied 9th place, presenting a chance for a 'top 10' finish for the first time in 3 years since 8th place at the 2019 British Women's Open.

Lee Minji is teeing off on the 2nd hole during the second day of the Cognizant Founders Cup. Clifton, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

Minjee Lee collected 1 eagle and 8 birdies (1 bogey). She relied on her long drives averaging 263 yards and 'stingy putting' with only 23 putts in the round. She has shown the skill to enter the 'top 3' twice this year. Leading by 3 strokes, she is on course for her 7th career win, 10 months after winning the major Evian Championship last July. Thompson reduced 6 strokes, while Saxstrom, who was the leader the previous day, scored 2 under par and lost the top spot on the leaderboard.

From Korea, KLPGA Championship winner Kim A-lim (27, SBI Savings Bank) posted 3 under par to tie for 13th place. Choi Woon-jung (32, Volvik) and Jeon Ji-won (25, KB Financial Group) also joined this group. No. 1 Go Jin-young (27), aiming for her third consecutive win at the tournament, reduced 2 strokes and is looking to climb the ranks at tied 22nd place (5 under par 139 strokes). Yang Hee-young (33, Woori Financial Group) is tied for 32nd place (4 under par 140 strokes), and 2016 champion Kim Se-young (29, Mediheal) is tied for 61st place (1 under par 143 strokes).