Akie Iwai carded a two-under-par 69 on Friday to stretch her lead to three strokes midway through the Canadian Women’s Open, as the Japanese rookie chases a second straight LPGA title.
Iwai, who joined twin sister Chisato as an LPGA winner with her triumph in Portland last Sunday, started the day at Mississauga Golf and Country Club with a two-shot lead.
At nine under on 133, she is three clear of world No 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, Ireland’s Leona Maguire and Australian Minjee Lee.
Lee climbed the leaderboard with a four-under 67 that featured five birdies before a bogey at the 18th.
Maguire posted a one-under 70 with five birdies against four bogeys, while Jeeno recovered from an opening bogey to add two birdies in her one-under round.
Iwai, who said Thursday she had put her breakthrough win behind her to focus on this week, enjoyed another solid round but admitted it could have been better.
“Today also I had many birdie chances, but I just didn’t get them,” said Iwai, who made four birdies and two bogeys.
Lee said she too struggled to take advantage of her scoring opportunities.
“I had a really nice front nine,” said Lee, who had four birdies in her first nine holes and added another at the 16th. “I birdied the same two holes to start, 2 and 3 yesterday as well, so I had good vibes.
“I felt like I hit solid shots on the back nine as well, but just didn’t have too many close-range looks, so I didn’t hole many mid-range putts for birdie.
“It’s one of those courses where there is a score out there, but if you’re a little off target the rough is quite thick. You just have to stay patient and take what it gives you.”
Lee, whose three Major titles include this year’s Women’s PGA Championship, said she plans to be more aggressive over the weekend.
“You can be a little more aggressive when you’re chasing,” she said. “You’re trying to make as many birdies as possible.”
Canadian Brooke Henderson, the 2018 champion, fired a five-under 66 with four birdies in her last seven holes, including back-to-back birdies to close. She shares fifth on five-under 137 with Sweden’s Linnea Strom and Americans Jenny Bae and Megan Khang.
It was a tougher day for 15-year-old Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng, who began tied for second but slipped back after a two-over 73.
The two South Africans in the field – Ashleigh Buhai (two over) and Paula Reto (three over) – both missed the cut.
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Photo: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Article Link: Akie Iwai stretches lead at Canadian Women's Open