Rookie Anna Lin Leads by 2 Strokes, "Feeling Good"

Anna Lin CP Women's Open 2R 6-Under Par Surge
Choi Hye-jin, Korda, and Letot Chase in Tied 2nd
Defending Champ Ko Jin-young Tied 78th Faces 'Cut Off' Risk

Anna Lin is teeing off on the 8th hole on the second day of the CP Women's Open. Ottawa, Canada - Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Rookie Anna Lin (26) takes the lead.

On the 26th (local time), Anna Lin played the second round of the LPGA Tour CP Women's Open (total prize money $2.35 million) held at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club (par 71, 6,546 yards) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, recording six birdies without a bogey. She leads by two strokes (13-under 129) and is looking forward to her first victory in her debut season. Anna Lin's best result this year was 3rd place at the JTBC Classic in March.

Anna Lin also played a 'bogey-free' round for two consecutive days, making seven birdies without a bogey in the first round. Her fairway hit rate, which was 92.3% the previous day, reached 100% today, and her greens in regulation rate rose from 83.3% to 94.4%, demonstrating near-perfect shot accuracy.

Anna Lin exclaimed, "I have no winning experience in the U.S., but since I have won in Korea, I feel familiar with the current situation. My iron shots were good, giving me many birdie opportunities, and my putting supported me well, allowing me to achieve a good score." She added, "It's fun to play from the lead after a long time," and vowed, "I will show good performance in the remaining rounds."

Rookie Choi Hye-jin (23) collected two eagles and four birdies. She is tied for 2nd place (11-under 131) along with Nelly Korda (USA) and Paula Reto (South Africa). Choi Hye-jin explained, "Although it rained and my shot condition was not good, I was able to reduce my score thanks to good mid- to long-distance putts. Both eagles came on par-5 holes where the tee shot position was moved forward, so I was able to reach the green with the second shot and sink the putt well."

Due to bad weather followed by sunset, 36 out of 156 players could not finish the second round. Defending champion Ko Jin-young (27) lost two strokes and dropped to a tie for 78th place (1-under 141). The cut line for advancing to the final round is currently 2-under. Ko Jin-young must see the cut line drop to 1-under after the second round to advance to the third round.