27-year-old Chinese golfer Yan Liu proved herself an elite the field on Friday by doing something previously unthinkable. She managed to avoid the worst of fierce conditions and maintained a one-stroke lead. After a round that included an impressive albatross, Liu finished with an even-par 72, keeping herself ahead of four competitors in the tournament held at The Club at Carlton Woods in Texas.
It was an adventurous adventure trip for Liu on that second round. She had a rough start, making three bogeys on the front nine. She pulled off a miraculous recovery shot on the 505-yard par-5 eighth hole. With a mighty 7-iron, she holed her sparkling 175-yard second shot for an albatross. After the game, Liu reflected on the moment, explaining, “I read the ball how to go in, so that’s really cool thing.” This incredible birdie-birdie sequence helped her erase the two-later bogeys and recapture priceless momentum.
Despite the disappointment of a bogey on nine, Liu regrouped on the back side with seven straight pars. She capped off her round in style, making a 15-footer for birdie on the par-5 18th. That incredible shot was her first birdie of the day! “Last hole, it’s my first birdie all day,” she said. Liu had shared the lead after the first round with Haeran Ryu, having posted a stellar 7-under par 65.
On Friday, Liu decided to use a different putter, a move that was impacted by her practice schedule. “I putted for an hour and a half after the round yesterday, so just needed something different,” said Nelly Korda, who rallied late to make the cut after an early struggle. It was an impressive performance from Korda, who’s defending her title after claiming the championship last season.
As Liu goes into the weekend, she expects to feel even more pressure. “I think, for sure, I will be, because, I mean, this is huge,” she confessed. This year’s tournament is crucial for many players, including Hyo Joo Kim, Lindy Duncan, Sarah Schmelzel, and Mao Saigo, who are all just a stroke behind Liu.
Lexi Thompson and Weiwei Zhang lit it up. Thompson made up ground with a second-round 67 following an initial 73 for a total of 4 under par. Zhang had been in the mix, as she was 5 under with three holes to play. Play was suspended because of darkness.
Haeran Ryu dropped down the leaderboard with a second-round 74 to sit two shots back of Liu. With the tournament still heating up this weekend, all eyes are on Liu. She still has that second Chevron Championship title to take though!
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