Defending champion Jeeno Thitikul surged ahead in the LPGA Mizuho Americas Open, finishing the second round with a three-under par 69. This performance gives her a three-stroke lead at the Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey.
Thitikul, currently ranked world No. 2, has a cumulative score of eight-under 136 after 36 holes. She capitalized on calmer conditions later in the day, as gusty winds initially posed a challenge on the fast, undulating greens.
American golfer Jennifer Kupcho trails Thitikul by three strokes, carding a round of 69 for a total of five-under 139.
I didn’t do well when the wind was really picking up in the beginning. Luckily we didn’t have much wind on the back nine. After the rain came, the wind just shut down.
Jeeno Thitikul
Thitikul started her round on the back nine, grappling with two bogeys and a birdie before finding her rhythm. She gained momentum with consecutive birdies at the third and fourth holes, followed by two additional birdies at the sixth and eighth.
Acknowledging her favorable tee time, Thitikul expressed satisfaction with her performance, which allowed her to build a solid lead.
Kupcho's round mirrored Thitikul's in some ways. She started strong with five birdies in her first 13 holes but fell back with two late bogeys, ending the day at five-under.
I think early this morning on the front nine there was definitely a lot less wind, hardly any at all really.
Jennifer Kupcho