Jee Young Lee Leads at LPGA Founders Cup
By Les Bailey
South Korean, Jee Young Lee went low at the RR Donnelley Founders Cup on Friday to take a one shot lead into the third round on Saturday at the Wild Fire Golf Club in Phoenix. Lee shot a bogey free second round -8 under par 64 to get to a -15 total, and a one shot lead over first round leader Ai Miyazato. The LPGA’s hottest golfer in the early part of the 2013 season, Stacy Lewis shot a 65, and is in sole possession of third place, four shots back at the halfway point.
The 27 year old Lee hasn’t won on the LPGA for eight years. Her problems over the past two years included 10 missed cuts in 2011 over 15 starts, and missed five cuts over 13 starts in 2012. Lee’s struggles could be attributed to a wrist injury which required surgery in 2010 in October following the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
"“Actually, in 2010 after Malaysia, Malaysian Open, I had surgery, right wrist surgery,” said Lee, “so I’m going to, you know, like rehab and then I’m going to lose a little confidence after that.” “Much better this year,” said Lee. “I didn’t golf like two months, so it’s going to be better, better for wrist.”"
The current number one player in the Rolex Rankings, Yani Tseng is not having a great trip to Arizona. Her 70, 72 -2 under total was good enough for the cut, but leaves her 13 strokes off the pace. Stacy Lewis can take the number one position with a win this weekend. She is currently in third place behind South Korean, Na Yeon Choi. Choi is also struggling this week, and is at -3 under par.
After a nice round on Thursday, American Lexi Thompson followed her opening round 67 with a two over par 74 on Friday. She has dropped in a tie for 50th place, at -3 under par. The 17 year old had a very up and down(mostly down) day with two eagles, four bogeys, and a double bogey five at the par three 17th hole. She didn’t make a birdie on the day, but did make the cut, and will play the weekend.
Michelle Wie continues to struggle with her game. She followed her +2 over round on Thursday with an even par effort on Friday. She missed another cut. Wei is a player who is lost, and maybe should take some time, and figure out if this is something she wants to do for a living.
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