In the CPKC Women’s Open held at Earl Grey Golf Club, Lauren Coughlin maintained her lead on Friday while Canadian favorite Brooke Henderson struggled with late bogeys in challenging windy and smokey conditions. Coughlin, who shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday, followed up with a 70 on Friday to reach 6 under par, holding a slim lead over Hannah Green and Haeran Ryu by one stroke. The temperature was notably warmer on Friday compared to the previous day’s chilly and windy conditions.
Despite facing difficulties due to winds and tough pin placements, Coughlin expressed satisfaction with her performance, especially with her putting skills and ability to navigate the challenging course layout. Henderson, on the other hand, experienced a setback on the final four holes, finishing with a 73 and trailing Coughlin by seven strokes at 1 over par.
Coughlin, who recently secured a fourth-place finish in the Evian Champions, remains determined to clinch her first LPGA Tour victory. The 31-year-old golfer highlighted her strong play on the front nine holes but acknowledged the need to improve her performance on the back nine to secure a successful outcome.
Green, the Australian golfer and a two-time winner this year, matched Coughlin’s score with a 70, emphasizing the challenges posed by the windy conditions during the tournament. Similarly, Ryu, the South Korean player, expressed her difficulties with the unfavorable weather conditions impacting her game.
Lydia Ko, a three-time champion, delivered a solid performance with a 71 to join other contenders at 3 under par. Ko, known for her previous victories at a young age, acknowledged the demanding nature of the tournament but expressed satisfaction with her progress.
In a turn of events, Jennifer Kupcho initially led with an impressive 8 under par after a strong start on the front nine, only to struggle with several bogeys later in the round. Kupcho, while expressing disappointment with her performance, recognized the importance of maintaining consistency, especially with putting.
Lexi Thompson, tied for 26th place with Henderson at 1 over par, expressed plans to reduce her tournament schedule after the current season. The fierce competition and challenging conditions at the CPKC Women’s Open are shaping up an exciting contest among top golfers as they navigate the course filled with obstacles and uncertainties.
