In a dramatic turn at The Annika in Belleair, Florida, Hye‑Jin Choi erased a shaky start to finish with a 3‑under 67, securing a three‑way tie for the lead on Friday. After opening with two bogeys, Choi steadied herself with a 15‑foot eagle putt on the par‑5 seventh and finished strong, demonstrating the poise that has eluded her in her first 127 LPGA starts.
Choi’s comeback performance
Choi’s round featured a mix of birdies and a crucial eagle that lifted her score to 67, three strokes better than Nelly Korda’s clean 69. The Korean veteran, a five‑year LPGA member, said the early bogeys did not rattle her: “I have two rounds left, but I have recently played in a champion group before, so I have that experience and I’m just going to try my best and concentrate on my game.”
Korda’s steady but distant card
World No. 1 Nelly Korda posted a bogey‑free 69, consisting of 15 straight pars, one birdie and two closing pars. While her round was flawless, it left her four shots behind the leaders, a gap that will require a strong weekend to close. Korda, returning to competition after a two‑month break, noted the challenging wind conditions at Pelican Golf Club, saying, “You can just tell that from yesterday morning to today afternoon with the wind, that’s what the defense of this golf course is.”
Other leaders and contenders
Solheim Cup star Carlota Ciganda surged with a remarkable 63, birdieing her final four holes to join Choi and Lindy Duncan (66) at 12‑under 128. The Japanese duo of Mao Saigo (65) and Minami Katsu (69) trailed by two strokes, keeping the leaderboard tightly packed.
Implications for the Race to the CME Globe
The tournament marks the final regular‑season event of the year, with the top 60 players in the Race to the CME Globe advancing to the finale in Naples next week, where the winner will claim a $2 million prize. Julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain, who recently helped the United States win a crucial Solheim Cup singles match, sits at 9‑under 131 and remains in contention for a spot in the season‑ending showdown.
Local perspective
For the Belleair community, the tournament brings national‑level golf excitement to the Gulf Coast, showcasing the region’s world‑class facilities and drawing fans from across the state. Local businesses anticipate a boost in hospitality revenue as visitors flock to watch the weekend’s decisive rounds.
Looking ahead
With two rounds remaining, Choi, Korda, and the other leaders will aim to capitalize on their positions. The wind‑swept conditions at Pelican Golf Club promise a challenging finish, but the field’s talent suggests a thrilling conclusion to the season’s penultimate event.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
