South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee5 carded a five-under-par 67 on Friday to grab a one-stroke lead after the second round of the LPGA Portland Classic.
The 36-year-old, still seeking her first LPGA Tour title, thrived again at Edgewater Country Club, where she finished runner-up in 2021. A run of five straight birdies from the 5th through the 9th set the tone, with another at the 12th offset by her only blemish at 13. She heads into the weekend at 12-under 132.
Australia’s Grace Kim, fresh off her maiden Major win at the Evian Championship, surged into contention with a seven-under 65 that included an eagle and six birdies. She sits tied for second with Gurleen Kaur, who closed birdie-birdie for a 68 to also reach 11 under.
Lee, whose “5” suffix differentiates her from other players of the same name, credited her putting for the hot stretch.
“Honestly, all my birdie chances were short putts. That’s why I was able to convert them and have such a low putting round today,” she said after needing just 25 putts.
Kim admitted her driving wasn’t sharp but praised her iron play and putting.
“Had a lot of good mid- to long-range putts today, and just rolled it well,” she said.
South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai is among those two shots back at 10 under, alongside Japan’s Akie Iwai and Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn.
Overnight leader Adela Cernousek slipped down the board with a three-over 75, while 65-year-old LPGA Hall of Famer Juli Inkster narrowly missed becoming the oldest player to make an LPGA cut, finishing one stroke shy after a 74.
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Article Link: Buhai chases leader Lee5 at Portland Classic