THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Yan Liu’s strong performance in the Chevron Championship was highlighted by an impressive albatross, allowing her to maintain her lead despite some early setbacks and a late bogey on Friday. Closing the day with an even-par 72, Liu holds a one-stroke advantage over four competitors in the first women’s major golf tournament of the year.
Reigning champion Nelly Korda, the highest-ranked player, showed perseverance by recovering from an opening round 77 with a solid 68, ensuring her continued participation by making the cut. Korda, who clinched victory at The Club at Carlton Woods last year for one of her five consecutive record-equalling wins, made a strategic decision to switch putters after dedicating an extensive amount of practice time to her putting after the first round.
“I putted for an hour and a half after the round yesterday, so just needed something different,” Korda explained. “Sometimes that’s all you need.”
The start of the day’s play was delayed by fog, resulting in nine players unable to conclude their rounds due to fading light. Liu, who shared the top spot with Haeran Ryu after an impressive 65 in the first round, acknowledged that she would likely face some pressure as the tournament intensified.
“I think, definitely, I will feel a little bit, because, well, this is a major,” Liu noted. “I know the course is going to be harder, harder, so I think I just stay patient, calm because I’m a very emotional person.”
Hyo Joo Kim, trailing by a single stroke after carding a 71, joined Lindy Duncan (66), Sarah Schmelzel (68), and Mao Saigo (68) in keeping the pressure on Liu. Kim recently celebrated victory at the Ford Championship in Arizona, marking her seventh LPGA Tour title, whereas the others in the top group have yet to claim a tour win.
Liu’s remarkable albatross came from a 7-iron strike on her second shot at the 505-yard par-5 eighth hole, a highlight moment that unfortunately wasn’t captured on video. Despite a bogey on the ninth and a par streak that extended into the back nine, Liu dropped into a shared lead after a mishap on the 17th hole. Her ball veered left into thick Bermuda rough, and a chunky second shot followed by a missed par putt added a bogey to her scorecard.
She regained control with a birdie on the par-5 18th, sinking a notable 15-foot putt just before sunset.
“Last hole, is my first birdie today,” Liu remarked with satisfaction. “I’m glad I made it.”
Ryu’s 74 saw her fall into a tie for fifth with Angel Yin (70), Manon De Roey (71), and Hye-Jin Choi (71). Weiwei Zhang was also at 5 under with three holes unfinished when play was suspended.
Elsewhere, Lexi Thompson continued to impress, sitting at 4-under after following up her opening 73 with an exceptional 67. The 30-year-old, stepping back from full-time tour participation after her recent retirement, emphasized her enduring commitment to competition.
“I’m still practicing and training,” Thompson said. “I love working out. I’m still striving to be better for when I do tee it up because every time I tee it up I still want to win. It’s not like I’m just going out here to show face. I’m still very competitive, but just trying to enjoy the few times I will play.”
Thompson’s previous triumph in this tournament came in 2014 when it was known as the Kraft Nabisco Championship and held at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California.