Leona Maguire makes late push to grab lead at Women's PGA
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Maguire birdied three of her final four holes to grab lead after two rounds at the Women's PGA.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Ireland's Leona Maguire birdied three of her final four holes to shoot a 3-under 68 and take control of the lead after two rounds of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship on Friday in Springfield, N.J.
Maguire punctuated her afternoon at Baltusrol Golf Club with a short birdie putt at the par-3 ninth hole that put her alone on top at 5-under 137.
Maguire won last week at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Belmont, Mich., for her second career victory on tour. The 28-year-old has three top-10s at majors but is seeking her first title.
Xiyu Lin of China made a short eagle putt during an even-par 71 and held the lead midway through the second round at 4 under. Mel Reid of England joined her in the afternoon by posting the low round of the day to that point, a 4-under 67 with five birdies and a single bogey.
LPGA rookie Celine Borge of Norway shot her second straight 69 to join the group at 4 under.
World No. 5 Minjee Lee of Australia matched Reid's 67 to make a late push to 3 under. She was tied for fifth with Lee-Anne Pace (73). The South African led after one round and moved to 6 under early Friday before making three bogeys over her final seven holes.
The top 70 and ties will make the cut, projected to be 5 over par. Lexi Thompson made four birdies in a row at Nos. 5-8 toward the end of her round in order to reach 4 over and make the cut.
World No. 2 Nelly Korda, in her first start after missing more than a month with back pain, won't play the weekend after going 11-over 153 (76-77) and tying for 129th. Also missing the cut were recent major winners Lilia Vu (6 over), Jennifer Kupcho (7 over), Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand (8 over) and Sei Young Kim of South Korea (8 over).
