BELLEAIR, Fla. Linn Grant shot a 7-under 63 on Friday for a share of the lead with Grace Kim in The Annika. Defending champion Nelly Korda made a big move with a 63 of her own, while Kai Trump improved by eight strokes and still finished a distant last.
Very, very solid. I hit some really good shots, said Grant, the Swede who won the 2023 Dana Open for her lone LPGA Tour title. Tee to green today was very good. I felt like I played similar yesterday but I just couldnt get the putts to go in, and today a lot of them went in.
Kim had a 66 to join Grant at 9-under 131 at Pelican Golf Club. Kim won the Evian Championship in France in July for her first major title and helped Australia win the recent International Crown.
I just kind of kept my mojo going, Kim said. Just hit lots of fairways and tried to make a lot of putts. It helped probably I hit a few more close today, making more easier birdies. I guess, just stayed in my lane really.
Trump is the granddaughter of President Donald Trump. Playing on a sponsor exemption, the high school senior followed an opening 83 with a 75. At 18 over, she was last in the 108-player field by six strokes.
She can play at the highest level’: Kai Trump caps LPGA debut with 75, near ace and positive impression
Trump, the 18-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump, shot 83-75 to miss the cut in her LPGA debut at The Annika, but, by all serious accounts, it was a win for the future Miami player and LPGA dreamer.
For the first day I was definitely really nervous, she said. I think the nerves just got to me. When I went out there today I felt very calm and peaceful to be honest with you. Thats why I played better.
First-round leader Haeran Ryu followed her opening 64 with a 68 to drop into a tie for third with Jennifer Kupcho (66) at 8 under. Gaby Lopez was 7 under after a 64.
Korda birdied the last three holes to get to 6 under.
I just capitalized on my good shots. Korda said. I actually didnt play bad yesterday at all. I just went to the range after and then to the putting green and just kind of told myself that, `Its a fresh day and you never know whats going to happen. I came out and I started capitalizing a little bit more on the better shots.
Korda won the tournament last year to become the first player in 13 years to win seven times in a season. She has yet to win this year.
Auston Kim (65) also was 6 under with Carlota Ciganda (65) and Lauren Coughlin (66).
The top 60 in the Race to CME Globe qualify for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship next week, where all 60 can win the $4 million prize.