Christine Song Maintains Lead After LPGA Qualifying Second Round
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 1, 2011 – Christine Song and Stephanie Kono held their respective positions on the leaderboard following today’s second round of the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.
Song of Fullerton, Calif., carded a 2-under 70 today to maintain her lead with a two-stroke cushion over Kono at 8-under 136.
Kono, a UCLA senior of Honolulu, Hawaii, posted a one-under score of 71 to remain in second place at 6-under 138. Both played on the Legends Course at LPGA International in today’s second round.
"The wind was tough today and when it was blowing, it was really blowing," said Song, 20, a second-year LPGA Tour member.
Cooler temperatures and gusting winds allowed for fewer sub-par scores on either the Legends or Champions courses at LPGA International. Nobody scored in the 60s today and only four players carded rounds of 70 – the day’s low score.
"The wind picked up on the back nine, where it was definitely a two-club wind at times," said Kono, 22, a senior at UCLA. "This is not an easy course and with the wind, it’s a beast. Even par is a really good score here."
Song recorded three birdies and one bogey in today’s round, hitting an 88-yard wedge to two feet on the Legends’ 18th hole to save par.
On the same hole a few groups later, and with a 20-mph wind gusting in her face, Kono laced a 5-wood 175 yards to one foot on the 18th hole to finish with a birdie. She recorded four birdies and three bogeys in her round.
"Bogeys are going to happen here, and if you’re not paying attention, it can get away from you fast," added Kono, a three-time, first-team All-American for the Bruins.
Tied for third at 2-under 142 is the trio of Jacqui Concolino (72) of Orlando, Fla., Rebecca Durham (71) of St. Simon Island, Ga., and Jennie Lee (71) of Henderson, Nev.
Six players are tied for sixth at one-under 143, including 2007 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion and current LPGA tour member Mariajo Uribe of Bucamaranga, Colombia, who played at even-par 72 today on the Legends Course.
Eleven players are under par after the opening round, with a total of 14 players at even-par 144 or better.
The third round will begin Friday at 9 a.m., Eastern Time.
A field of 139 players are in this week’s event, hoping to either earn membership or improve their current member status for the 2012 LPGA Tour. Sectional qualifiers, along with current LPGA Tour members attempting to improve their status for 2012, are in the field. In addition, players finishing Nos. 6-10, and the next top 10 players on the 2011 LPGA Futures Tour money list (who do not already have LPGA status), are also in the field.
The five-round qualifier will cut to the low 70 players and ties after 72 holes. Those players making the cut will compete in the final round on the Champions Course.
Players finishing 1st through 40th, including ties, will receive 2012 LPGA membership.
To follow scores of these and other contestants throughout the week, visit LPGA.com.
Contact: Lisa D. Mickey, LPGA communications, 386-274-6216, or lisa.mickey@lpga.c
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Christine Song Leads After Opening Round At LPGA Qualifying