World No 1 Nelly Korda is inside three pictures of the midway lead on the LPGA Tour’s Mizuho Americas Open, the place sickness has led to a number of gamers withdrawing.
Korda, who noticed her run of 5 consecutive victories ended when Rose Zhang gained the Cognizant Founders Cup on Sunday, adopted an opening-round 70 with a four-under 68 to go into the weekend on six below.
The American blended 5 birdies with a lone bogey to take a seat as one among 4 gamers sharing third spot, as Atthaya Thitikul opened a two-shot benefit over So Mi Lee with an excellent second-round 65.
Thitikul, who’s taking part in in her third occasion this 12 months due to an harm to her left thumb, birdied 5 of her final seven holes to shut out a bogey-free card at Liberty Nationwide and enhance her hopes of a primary since 2022.
“I played with Atthaya today and my round felt like poop compared to hers,” mentioned Korda, taking part in in the identical group because the midway chief. “She’s playing phenomenal golf the past two days. I’m happy to be in it; three back at the halfway point, but hopefully I can give it my best.”
Ariya Jutanugarn (68), Gabriela Ruffels (70) and Mao Saigo (70) share third with Korda on six below, with eight gamers an extra shot again, whereas England’s Charley Hull is inside 5 of the midway lead after back-to-back 70s.
Atthaya Thitikul is with out an LPGA Tour victory since September 2022
Lexi Thompson, Allisen Corpuz, Danielle Kang and Lydia Ko have been among the many former main winners to overlook the reduce, whereas Zhang – winner final week and defending champion – withdrew on Thursday as a consequence of sickness and is amongst quite a few mid-tournament withdrawals.
A press release from the LPGA Tour mentioned: “A complete of 10 gamers have withdrawn from the sector on the Mizuho Americas Open since play started on Thursday.
“Three of those withdrawals have been due to injury, and the others due to various illnesses. Medical professionals on site have treated several athletes for symptoms related to a viral infection.
“The LPGA and match organisers proceed to observe the state of affairs intently, and are working collectively to advise and help the LPGA athletes with precautions to attempt to hold everybody wholesome.”
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