Olympic gold medalist and LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko made a strong move in the second round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship, finishing just one shot behind the leader with a 5-under 67 on Friday. Ko, a South Korean-born New Zealander, posted a two-round total of 6-under 138 on the Tanjong course at Sentosa Golf Club.
The consistent Ko showcased her skills by hitting 11 of 14 fairways and 16 of 17 greens in regulation during her bogey-free round. The 27-year-old Ko, who became the youngest player to enter the LPGA's Hall of Fame after winning gold in Paris last year, expressed her determination to improve her performance on the challenging golf course.
Ko mentioned that her Olympic gold and Hall of Fame induction have shifted her mindset, allowing her to have more fun on the course and be more adventurous in her gameplay while staying true to her successful strategies from the past. She emphasized her goals of playing her best golf and contending for victories.
Meanwhile, Charley Hull of England and Hyo Joo Kim were tied for third place, two shots behind the leader. Defending champion Hannah Green and Angel Yin, the recent winner of the LPGA Thailand event, were both at even-par 144 after the second round.
The tournament in Singapore boasts a strong field, with nine of the top 10 players in the world ranking and 13 of the top 15 participating. The absence of top-ranked Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang has not diminished the competitive nature of the event.
The HSBC Women’s World Championship is part of the LPGA’s early Asian Swing, with the final event scheduled to take place next week in Hainan Island, China.
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