Who leads the LPGA's Dow team event and which big names didn't make the weekend?
The duo Jennifer Kupcho of the U.S. and Leona Maguire of Ireland will take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the LPGA's team event, the Dow Championship.
Those two teamed up for a 10-under 60 on Friday in the second round in the four-ball, or best ball, format at Midland Country Club. Their scorecard shows eight birdies and an eagle on the par-70 track.
They are at 13 under overall, a shot better than Gemma Dryburgh and Cassie Porter.
"The plan today was just to give ourselves as many chances as we could, try to get two chances on every hole. For the most part, we did that. It was nice to start off with a birdie and sort of an eagle very early on to get the ball rolling," Maguire said. "Jen made a nice birdie on 18 to sort of keep the momentum going through the turn."
Kupcho won this event with Lizette Salas in 2022.
"I think the partners certainly help. I think just in general I enjoy coming to Michigan, both Grand Rapids and here in Midland. I have two really great host families, and really both cities do a really good job of coming behind each event," she said. "I just really enjoy coming out here, enjoy the community and just having all the fans. It's always a great environment. So I love it here."
Jeeno Thitikul and Ruoning Yin, the Dow defending champions, will make the weekend but they have work to do. The pairing is tied for 17th at 6 under. They shot 66 on Friday.
Team Biggie Smalls, made up of Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang are tied for ninth, five shots off the lead. What's their favorite part of this unique event?
"The unfiltered comments in between. That we'll keep to ourself," Khang said as the two laughed.
"I think we really feed off each other really well. She has a great personality and keeps it lighthearted out there," Thompson said. "I'm probably more on the serious side of things, but I need that balance."
"We have great banter," Khang said.
"Yeah, I need that balance," Thompson reiterated. "And that's what makes us a great team."
Teams who missed the cut at the 2025 Dow Championship
There were 72 teams when the week started but just 37 will advance. The cut came in at 4 under and that left some interesting names out of the weekend chase:
Maria Fassi/Stacy Lewis, 2 under
Ariya Jutanugarn/Moriya Jutanugarn, 2 under
Akie Kwai/Chisato Iwai, 1 under
Danielle Kang/Lydia Ko, 1 under
Haeran Ryu/Rose Zhang, 1 under
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