Grace Kim takes four shot lead in Los Angeles
Grace Kim – file photo AWPGA
23-year-old Grace Kim has opened up a four-shot lead at the halfway mark of the LPGA Tour event in Los Angeles, the Sydney golfer chasing a second LPGA Tour title nearly twelve months after her breakthrough win in her rookie season last year.
Kim who opened with a round of 64 at the Wilshire Country Club on day one added a second round of 66 today to break clear of Sweden’s Maja Stark with another two shots back to Kim’s fellow Australian and defending champion, Hannah Green, and Germany’s Esther Henseleit.
Kim arrived at this week’s event with few expectations having missed two of her last three cuts and in seven LPGA Tour starts this season has not recorded a top 20, although she suggested after her round that her game was perhaps better than results would indicate.
The next best of the Australians are Sarah Kemp and Karis Davidson who share 14th place at 2 under and ten shots from Kim’s lead.
The surprise again amongst the Australians was the second missed cut in three starts by Minjee Lee who appeared to be recovering from an opening 74 with a good start to round two before dropping five shots in six holes in the middle of her round.
Lee finished two shots outside the cutline after missing the cut last week at the Chevron Championship.
