Lee, Davidson lead big Aussie charge at LPGA Classic
Rising star Karis Davidson and dual major winner Minjee Lee are among six Australians poised for a weekend title crack at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.
Davidson is tied for the halfway lead after shooting a second-round two-under-par 70 at Blythefield County Club.
The 26-year-old moved to eight under along with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (67), South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (67) and Frenchwoman Celina Boutier (68).
Playing in the second-to-last group off the first tee, Davidson birdied the par-4 16th and par-5 18th to charge into a share of the halfway lead.
"We just really hung in there today," she said. "Was a bit of a grind, and nice to get the couple birdies at the end.
"I think this is the first time I've been tied for first in an LPGA event after two rounds, so, yeah, I'm just really excited that I wasn't fighting for the cut.
"It was a bit of a different feeling out there."
Davidson and company are just one shot in front of Lee (70) and four others, including sentimental American favourite Lexi Thompson, with fellow Australians Steph Kyriacou (68), Cassie Porter (70), Gabriela Ruffels (71) and Grace Kim (73) all only two strokes off the pace at six under.
Thompson and Kim finished joint runners-up last year after falling to Lilia Vu in a three-way play-off.
Making her sixth start of the season in a part-time tour schedule, Thompson birdied three of the last four holes in breezy afternoon conditions to join Lee, Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68), Paraguyan Sofia Garcia (71) and US pair Amanda Doherty (69) and Bronte Law (69) at seven under.
"The golf course is one thing. It's always in great shape for us, which we always look forward to," Thompson, the 2015 champion, said after the bogey-free round on the tree-lined layout.
"But the amount of support that the tournament gets and also how Meijer gives back to the community as well, it's not just a tournament - it's much bigger than that."
The 30-year-old from Florida won the last of her 11 LPGA Tour titles in 2019.
"Some days are harder than others and we get frustrated, but at the end of the day it is just golf," said Thompson, also set to play next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas.
Kim bogeyed two of her last three holes to fall out of a tie for the lead, but is still well in contention to atone for last year's play-off disappointment.
Vu missed the cut with rounds of 77 and 75.
With the AP
Rising star Karis Davidson and dual major winner Minjee Lee are among six Australians poised for a weekend title crack at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.
Davidson is tied for the halfway lead after shooting a second-round two-under-par 70 at Blythefield County Club.
The 26-year-old moved to eight under along with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (67), South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (67) and Frenchwoman Celina Boutier (68).
Playing in the second-to-last group off the first tee, Davidson birdied the par-4 16th and par-5 18th to charge into a share of the halfway lead.
"We just really hung in there today," she said. "Was a bit of a grind, and nice to get the couple birdies at the end.
"I think this is the first time I've been tied for first in an LPGA event after two rounds, so, yeah, I'm just really excited that I wasn't fighting for the cut.
"It was a bit of a different feeling out there."
Davidson and company are just one shot in front of Lee (70) and four others, including sentimental American favourite Lexi Thompson, with fellow Australians Steph Kyriacou (68), Cassie Porter (70), Gabriela Ruffels (71) and Grace Kim (73) all only two strokes off the pace at six under.
Thompson and Kim finished joint runners-up last year after falling to Lilia Vu in a three-way play-off.
Making her sixth start of the season in a part-time tour schedule, Thompson birdied three of the last four holes in breezy afternoon conditions to join Lee, Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68), Paraguyan Sofia Garcia (71) and US pair Amanda Doherty (69) and Bronte Law (69) at seven under.
"The golf course is one thing. It's always in great shape for us, which we always look forward to," Thompson, the 2015 champion, said after the bogey-free round on the tree-lined layout.
"But the amount of support that the tournament gets and also how Meijer gives back to the community as well, it's not just a tournament - it's much bigger than that."
The 30-year-old from Florida won the last of her 11 LPGA Tour titles in 2019.
"Some days are harder than others and we get frustrated, but at the end of the day it is just golf," said Thompson, also set to play next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas.
Kim bogeyed two of her last three holes to fall out of a tie for the lead, but is still well in contention to atone for last year's play-off disappointment.
Vu missed the cut with rounds of 77 and 75.
With the AP
Rising star Karis Davidson and dual major winner Minjee Lee are among six Australians poised for a weekend title crack at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.
Davidson is tied for the halfway lead after shooting a second-round two-under-par 70 at Blythefield County Club.
The 26-year-old moved to eight under along with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (67), South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (67) and Frenchwoman Celina Boutier (68).
Playing in the second-to-last group off the first tee, Davidson birdied the par-4 16th and par-5 18th to charge into a share of the halfway lead.
"We just really hung in there today," she said. "Was a bit of a grind, and nice to get the couple birdies at the end.
"I think this is the first time I've been tied for first in an LPGA event after two rounds, so, yeah, I'm just really excited that I wasn't fighting for the cut.
"It was a bit of a different feeling out there."
Davidson and company are just one shot in front of Lee (70) and four others, including sentimental American favourite Lexi Thompson, with fellow Australians Steph Kyriacou (68), Cassie Porter (70), Gabriela Ruffels (71) and Grace Kim (73) all only two strokes off the pace at six under.
Thompson and Kim finished joint runners-up last year after falling to Lilia Vu in a three-way play-off.
Making her sixth start of the season in a part-time tour schedule, Thompson birdied three of the last four holes in breezy afternoon conditions to join Lee, Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68), Paraguyan Sofia Garcia (71) and US pair Amanda Doherty (69) and Bronte Law (69) at seven under.
"The golf course is one thing. It's always in great shape for us, which we always look forward to," Thompson, the 2015 champion, said after the bogey-free round on the tree-lined layout.
"But the amount of support that the tournament gets and also how Meijer gives back to the community as well, it's not just a tournament - it's much bigger than that."
The 30-year-old from Florida won the last of her 11 LPGA Tour titles in 2019.
"Some days are harder than others and we get frustrated, but at the end of the day it is just golf," said Thompson, also set to play next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas.
Kim bogeyed two of her last three holes to fall out of a tie for the lead, but is still well in contention to atone for last year's play-off disappointment.
Vu missed the cut with rounds of 77 and 75.
With the AP
Rising star Karis Davidson and dual major winner Minjee Lee are among six Australians poised for a weekend title crack at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.
Davidson is tied for the halfway lead after shooting a second-round two-under-par 70 at Blythefield County Club.
The 26-year-old moved to eight under along with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (67), South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (67) and Frenchwoman Celina Boutier (68).
Playing in the second-to-last group off the first tee, Davidson birdied the par-4 16th and par-5 18th to charge into a share of the halfway lead.
"We just really hung in there today," she said. "Was a bit of a grind, and nice to get the couple birdies at the end.
"I think this is the first time I've been tied for first in an LPGA event after two rounds, so, yeah, I'm just really excited that I wasn't fighting for the cut.
"It was a bit of a different feeling out there."
Davidson and company are just one shot in front of Lee (70) and four others, including sentimental American favourite Lexi Thompson, with fellow Australians Steph Kyriacou (68), Cassie Porter (70), Gabriela Ruffels (71) and Grace Kim (73) all only two strokes off the pace at six under.
Thompson and Kim finished joint runners-up last year after falling to Lilia Vu in a three-way play-off.
Making her sixth start of the season in a part-time tour schedule, Thompson birdied three of the last four holes in breezy afternoon conditions to join Lee, Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68), Paraguyan Sofia Garcia (71) and US pair Amanda Doherty (69) and Bronte Law (69) at seven under.
"The golf course is one thing. It's always in great shape for us, which we always look forward to," Thompson, the 2015 champion, said after the bogey-free round on the tree-lined layout.
"But the amount of support that the tournament gets and also how Meijer gives back to the community as well, it's not just a tournament - it's much bigger than that."
The 30-year-old from Florida won the last of her 11 LPGA Tour titles in 2019.
"Some days are harder than others and we get frustrated, but at the end of the day it is just golf," said Thompson, also set to play next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas.
Kim bogeyed two of her last three holes to fall out of a tie for the lead, but is still well in contention to atone for last year's play-off disappointment.
Vu missed the cut with rounds of 77 and 75.
With the AP
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
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South Africa end title drought with upset of Australia
South Africa have ended decades of heartbreak in global tournaments, upsetting Australia by five wickets at Lord's to become World Test champions. Applied with the 'chokers' tag following years of blowing sudden-death ICC matches, the Proteas upstaged the No.1-ranked Australians in a gripping WTC final at the home of cricket to lift their first senior world trophy. Led superbly by opener Aiden Markram's 136, and a gritty captain's knock from hobbling hero Temba Bavuma (66), South Africa chased down the target of 282 just before lunch on day four. Going to stumps on Friday night in pole position at 2-213, this largely unheralded South Africa team required just 69 runs to create history legends such as Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock and AB De Villiers never could. Bavuma, who continued to bat with a hamstring injury, was dismissed early on Saturday, but Markram was dismissed only six runs away from glory to write himself into South African cricket folklore. The turnaround for the Proteas has been remarkable. This defining moment comes less than 18 months after they sent a heavily depleted squad to New Zealand so their stars could stay home and play in the country's T20 league instead. South Africa were predictably thrashed 2-0 by the Black Caps, but then went on to complete eight wins in a row to claim an unexpected Test title. It was Australia's first loss in a world final since England beat them to claim the 2010 T20 title. Since then, Australia have won two ODI World Cups (2015, 2023), a T20 trophy (2021), and the 2023 WTC decider against India at The Oval. Their record in global finals goes to 8-4, dating back to the first ODI World Cup back in 1975. Australia have been the cause of much of South Africa's pain, beating them in ODI World Cup semi-finals in 1999, 2007 and 2023. South Africa's run chase was the second-highest successful pursuit in fourth-innings in a Test at Lord's, equal with England's 282 against New Zealand back in 2004. In a final that exceeded the hype, South Africa boldly took it up to the Australians from the moment Bavuma decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) carried Australia on the first day, rolled for 212 after Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada fired with 5-51 in his first Test since receiving a one-man ban for testing positive to cocaine. But Australia's pace artillery struck back in typical fashion, running through the Proteas for only 138 thanks to Pat Cummins' 6-28. During one of his greatest spells, the star quick became the eighth Australian take 300 Test wickets, joining teammates Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc. But the first-innings lead of 74 quickly seemed like nowhere near enough when Australia suffered a collapse of 5-29 in just 45 minutes late on day two. Starc (58 not out) and Alex Carey (43) steered them out of dire trouble, but batting became significantly easier at the start of day three to give South Africa's batters confidence they could complete the chase. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. South Africa have ended decades of heartbreak in global tournaments, upsetting Australia by five wickets at Lord's to become World Test champions. Applied with the 'chokers' tag following years of blowing sudden-death ICC matches, the Proteas upstaged the No.1-ranked Australians in a gripping WTC final at the home of cricket to lift their first senior world trophy. Led superbly by opener Aiden Markram's 136, and a gritty captain's knock from hobbling hero Temba Bavuma (66), South Africa chased down the target of 282 just before lunch on day four. Going to stumps on Friday night in pole position at 2-213, this largely unheralded South Africa team required just 69 runs to create history legends such as Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock and AB De Villiers never could. Bavuma, who continued to bat with a hamstring injury, was dismissed early on Saturday, but Markram was dismissed only six runs away from glory to write himself into South African cricket folklore. The turnaround for the Proteas has been remarkable. This defining moment comes less than 18 months after they sent a heavily depleted squad to New Zealand so their stars could stay home and play in the country's T20 league instead. South Africa were predictably thrashed 2-0 by the Black Caps, but then went on to complete eight wins in a row to claim an unexpected Test title. It was Australia's first loss in a world final since England beat them to claim the 2010 T20 title. Since then, Australia have won two ODI World Cups (2015, 2023), a T20 trophy (2021), and the 2023 WTC decider against India at The Oval. Their record in global finals goes to 8-4, dating back to the first ODI World Cup back in 1975. Australia have been the cause of much of South Africa's pain, beating them in ODI World Cup semi-finals in 1999, 2007 and 2023. South Africa's run chase was the second-highest successful pursuit in fourth-innings in a Test at Lord's, equal with England's 282 against New Zealand back in 2004. In a final that exceeded the hype, South Africa boldly took it up to the Australians from the moment Bavuma decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) carried Australia on the first day, rolled for 212 after Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada fired with 5-51 in his first Test since receiving a one-man ban for testing positive to cocaine. But Australia's pace artillery struck back in typical fashion, running through the Proteas for only 138 thanks to Pat Cummins' 6-28. During one of his greatest spells, the star quick became the eighth Australian take 300 Test wickets, joining teammates Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc. But the first-innings lead of 74 quickly seemed like nowhere near enough when Australia suffered a collapse of 5-29 in just 45 minutes late on day two. Starc (58 not out) and Alex Carey (43) steered them out of dire trouble, but batting became significantly easier at the start of day three to give South Africa's batters confidence they could complete the chase. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. South Africa have ended decades of heartbreak in global tournaments, upsetting Australia by five wickets at Lord's to become World Test champions. Applied with the 'chokers' tag following years of blowing sudden-death ICC matches, the Proteas upstaged the No.1-ranked Australians in a gripping WTC final at the home of cricket to lift their first senior world trophy. Led superbly by opener Aiden Markram's 136, and a gritty captain's knock from hobbling hero Temba Bavuma (66), South Africa chased down the target of 282 just before lunch on day four. Going to stumps on Friday night in pole position at 2-213, this largely unheralded South Africa team required just 69 runs to create history legends such as Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock and AB De Villiers never could. Bavuma, who continued to bat with a hamstring injury, was dismissed early on Saturday, but Markram was dismissed only six runs away from glory to write himself into South African cricket folklore. The turnaround for the Proteas has been remarkable. This defining moment comes less than 18 months after they sent a heavily depleted squad to New Zealand so their stars could stay home and play in the country's T20 league instead. South Africa were predictably thrashed 2-0 by the Black Caps, but then went on to complete eight wins in a row to claim an unexpected Test title. It was Australia's first loss in a world final since England beat them to claim the 2010 T20 title. Since then, Australia have won two ODI World Cups (2015, 2023), a T20 trophy (2021), and the 2023 WTC decider against India at The Oval. Their record in global finals goes to 8-4, dating back to the first ODI World Cup back in 1975. Australia have been the cause of much of South Africa's pain, beating them in ODI World Cup semi-finals in 1999, 2007 and 2023. South Africa's run chase was the second-highest successful pursuit in fourth-innings in a Test at Lord's, equal with England's 282 against New Zealand back in 2004. In a final that exceeded the hype, South Africa boldly took it up to the Australians from the moment Bavuma decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) carried Australia on the first day, rolled for 212 after Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada fired with 5-51 in his first Test since receiving a one-man ban for testing positive to cocaine. But Australia's pace artillery struck back in typical fashion, running through the Proteas for only 138 thanks to Pat Cummins' 6-28. During one of his greatest spells, the star quick became the eighth Australian take 300 Test wickets, joining teammates Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc. But the first-innings lead of 74 quickly seemed like nowhere near enough when Australia suffered a collapse of 5-29 in just 45 minutes late on day two. Starc (58 not out) and Alex Carey (43) steered them out of dire trouble, but batting became significantly easier at the start of day three to give South Africa's batters confidence they could complete the chase. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
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South Africa end title drought with upset of Australia
South Africa have ended decades of heartbreak in global tournaments, upsetting Australia by five wickets at Lord's to become World Test champions. Applied with the 'chokers' tag following years of blowing sudden-death ICC matches, the Proteas upstaged the No.1-ranked Australians in a gripping WTC final at the home of cricket to lift their first senior world trophy. Led superbly by opener Aiden Markram's 136, and a gritty captain's knock from hobbling hero Temba Bavuma (66), South Africa chased down the target of 282 just before lunch on day four. Going to stumps on Friday night in pole position at 2-213, this largely unheralded South Africa team required just 69 runs to create history legends such as Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock and AB De Villiers never could. Bavuma, who continued to bat with a hamstring injury, was dismissed early on Saturday, but Markram was dismissed only six runs away from glory to write himself into South African cricket folklore. The turnaround for the Proteas has been remarkable. This defining moment comes less than 18 months after they sent a heavily depleted squad to New Zealand so their stars could stay home and play in the country's T20 league instead. South Africa were predictably thrashed 2-0 by the Black Caps, but then went on to complete eight wins in a row to claim an unexpected Test title. It was Australia's first loss in a world final since England beat them to claim the 2010 T20 title. Since then, Australia have won two ODI World Cups (2015, 2023), a T20 trophy (2021), and the 2023 WTC decider against India at The Oval. Their record in global finals goes to 8-4, dating back to the first ODI World Cup back in 1975. Australia have been the cause of much of South Africa's pain, beating them in ODI World Cup semi-finals in 1999, 2007 and 2023. South Africa's run chase was the second-highest successful pursuit in fourth-innings in a Test at Lord's, equal with England's 282 against New Zealand back in 2004. In a final that exceeded the hype, South Africa boldly took it up to the Australians from the moment Bavuma decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) carried Australia on the first day, rolled for 212 after Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada fired with 5-51 in his first Test since receiving a one-man ban for testing positive to cocaine. But Australia's pace artillery struck back in typical fashion, running through the Proteas for only 138 thanks to Pat Cummins' 6-28. During one of his greatest spells, the star quick became the eighth Australian take 300 Test wickets, joining teammates Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc. But the first-innings lead of 74 quickly seemed like nowhere near enough when Australia suffered a collapse of 5-29 in just 45 minutes late on day two. Starc (58 not out) and Alex Carey (43) steered them out of dire trouble, but batting became significantly easier at the start of day three to give South Africa's batters confidence they could complete the chase. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
The Advertiser
16 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Lee, Davidson lead big Aussie charge at LPGA Classic
Rising star Karis Davidson and dual major winner Minjee Lee are among six Australians poised for a weekend title crack at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. Davidson is tied for the halfway lead after shooting a second-round two-under-par 70 at Blythefield County Club. The 26-year-old moved to eight under along with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (67), South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (67) and Frenchwoman Celina Boutier (68). Playing in the second-to-last group off the first tee, Davidson birdied the par-4 16th and par-5 18th to charge into a share of the halfway lead. "We just really hung in there today," she said. "Was a bit of a grind, and nice to get the couple birdies at the end. "I think this is the first time I've been tied for first in an LPGA event after two rounds, so, yeah, I'm just really excited that I wasn't fighting for the cut. "It was a bit of a different feeling out there." Davidson and company are just one shot in front of Lee (70) and four others, including sentimental American favourite Lexi Thompson, with fellow Australians Steph Kyriacou (68), Cassie Porter (70), Gabriela Ruffels (71) and Grace Kim (73) all only two strokes off the pace at six under. Thompson and Kim finished joint runners-up last year after falling to Lilia Vu in a three-way play-off. Making her sixth start of the season in a part-time tour schedule, Thompson birdied three of the last four holes in breezy afternoon conditions to join Lee, Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68), Paraguyan Sofia Garcia (71) and US pair Amanda Doherty (69) and Bronte Law (69) at seven under. "The golf course is one thing. It's always in great shape for us, which we always look forward to," Thompson, the 2015 champion, said after the bogey-free round on the tree-lined layout. "But the amount of support that the tournament gets and also how Meijer gives back to the community as well, it's not just a tournament - it's much bigger than that." The 30-year-old from Florida won the last of her 11 LPGA Tour titles in 2019. "Some days are harder than others and we get frustrated, but at the end of the day it is just golf," said Thompson, also set to play next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Kim bogeyed two of her last three holes to fall out of a tie for the lead, but is still well in contention to atone for last year's play-off disappointment. Vu missed the cut with rounds of 77 and 75. With the AP Rising star Karis Davidson and dual major winner Minjee Lee are among six Australians poised for a weekend title crack at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. Davidson is tied for the halfway lead after shooting a second-round two-under-par 70 at Blythefield County Club. The 26-year-old moved to eight under along with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (67), South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (67) and Frenchwoman Celina Boutier (68). Playing in the second-to-last group off the first tee, Davidson birdied the par-4 16th and par-5 18th to charge into a share of the halfway lead. "We just really hung in there today," she said. "Was a bit of a grind, and nice to get the couple birdies at the end. "I think this is the first time I've been tied for first in an LPGA event after two rounds, so, yeah, I'm just really excited that I wasn't fighting for the cut. "It was a bit of a different feeling out there." Davidson and company are just one shot in front of Lee (70) and four others, including sentimental American favourite Lexi Thompson, with fellow Australians Steph Kyriacou (68), Cassie Porter (70), Gabriela Ruffels (71) and Grace Kim (73) all only two strokes off the pace at six under. Thompson and Kim finished joint runners-up last year after falling to Lilia Vu in a three-way play-off. Making her sixth start of the season in a part-time tour schedule, Thompson birdied three of the last four holes in breezy afternoon conditions to join Lee, Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68), Paraguyan Sofia Garcia (71) and US pair Amanda Doherty (69) and Bronte Law (69) at seven under. "The golf course is one thing. It's always in great shape for us, which we always look forward to," Thompson, the 2015 champion, said after the bogey-free round on the tree-lined layout. "But the amount of support that the tournament gets and also how Meijer gives back to the community as well, it's not just a tournament - it's much bigger than that." The 30-year-old from Florida won the last of her 11 LPGA Tour titles in 2019. "Some days are harder than others and we get frustrated, but at the end of the day it is just golf," said Thompson, also set to play next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Kim bogeyed two of her last three holes to fall out of a tie for the lead, but is still well in contention to atone for last year's play-off disappointment. Vu missed the cut with rounds of 77 and 75. With the AP Rising star Karis Davidson and dual major winner Minjee Lee are among six Australians poised for a weekend title crack at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. Davidson is tied for the halfway lead after shooting a second-round two-under-par 70 at Blythefield County Club. The 26-year-old moved to eight under along with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (67), South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (67) and Frenchwoman Celina Boutier (68). Playing in the second-to-last group off the first tee, Davidson birdied the par-4 16th and par-5 18th to charge into a share of the halfway lead. "We just really hung in there today," she said. "Was a bit of a grind, and nice to get the couple birdies at the end. "I think this is the first time I've been tied for first in an LPGA event after two rounds, so, yeah, I'm just really excited that I wasn't fighting for the cut. "It was a bit of a different feeling out there." Davidson and company are just one shot in front of Lee (70) and four others, including sentimental American favourite Lexi Thompson, with fellow Australians Steph Kyriacou (68), Cassie Porter (70), Gabriela Ruffels (71) and Grace Kim (73) all only two strokes off the pace at six under. Thompson and Kim finished joint runners-up last year after falling to Lilia Vu in a three-way play-off. Making her sixth start of the season in a part-time tour schedule, Thompson birdied three of the last four holes in breezy afternoon conditions to join Lee, Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68), Paraguyan Sofia Garcia (71) and US pair Amanda Doherty (69) and Bronte Law (69) at seven under. "The golf course is one thing. It's always in great shape for us, which we always look forward to," Thompson, the 2015 champion, said after the bogey-free round on the tree-lined layout. "But the amount of support that the tournament gets and also how Meijer gives back to the community as well, it's not just a tournament - it's much bigger than that." The 30-year-old from Florida won the last of her 11 LPGA Tour titles in 2019. "Some days are harder than others and we get frustrated, but at the end of the day it is just golf," said Thompson, also set to play next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Kim bogeyed two of her last three holes to fall out of a tie for the lead, but is still well in contention to atone for last year's play-off disappointment. Vu missed the cut with rounds of 77 and 75. With the AP Rising star Karis Davidson and dual major winner Minjee Lee are among six Australians poised for a weekend title crack at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. Davidson is tied for the halfway lead after shooting a second-round two-under-par 70 at Blythefield County Club. The 26-year-old moved to eight under along with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (67), South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (67) and Frenchwoman Celina Boutier (68). Playing in the second-to-last group off the first tee, Davidson birdied the par-4 16th and par-5 18th to charge into a share of the halfway lead. "We just really hung in there today," she said. "Was a bit of a grind, and nice to get the couple birdies at the end. "I think this is the first time I've been tied for first in an LPGA event after two rounds, so, yeah, I'm just really excited that I wasn't fighting for the cut. "It was a bit of a different feeling out there." Davidson and company are just one shot in front of Lee (70) and four others, including sentimental American favourite Lexi Thompson, with fellow Australians Steph Kyriacou (68), Cassie Porter (70), Gabriela Ruffels (71) and Grace Kim (73) all only two strokes off the pace at six under. Thompson and Kim finished joint runners-up last year after falling to Lilia Vu in a three-way play-off. Making her sixth start of the season in a part-time tour schedule, Thompson birdied three of the last four holes in breezy afternoon conditions to join Lee, Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68), Paraguyan Sofia Garcia (71) and US pair Amanda Doherty (69) and Bronte Law (69) at seven under. "The golf course is one thing. It's always in great shape for us, which we always look forward to," Thompson, the 2015 champion, said after the bogey-free round on the tree-lined layout. "But the amount of support that the tournament gets and also how Meijer gives back to the community as well, it's not just a tournament - it's much bigger than that." The 30-year-old from Florida won the last of her 11 LPGA Tour titles in 2019. "Some days are harder than others and we get frustrated, but at the end of the day it is just golf," said Thompson, also set to play next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Kim bogeyed two of her last three holes to fall out of a tie for the lead, but is still well in contention to atone for last year's play-off disappointment. Vu missed the cut with rounds of 77 and 75. With the AP
