By: Max Bechtoldt
2023 was difficult for Lydia Ko on the course. The 2022 LPGA Player of the year struggled with four missed cuts and her only win coming at The Grant Thornton Invitational alongside Jason Day. The early signs from the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions point to a fresh start in 2024.
Ko shot a terrific -5 67 to get into a share of the lead with Ayaka Furue at -8. Ko’s ball-striking was terrific, especially considering her struggles at times in that department. Ko hit 12 fairways, an improvement from eight on Thursday, and 17 greens, up from 12 in the opening round. While the short game is usually Ko’s savior, her putting was pretty average with 31 in the round.
Furue followed up her record setting performance on Thursday with a pretty average showing in the second round, shooting a -1 71. While Furue’s numbers off the tee and putting were nearly identical, her greens in regulation fell from 17 to 11.
Gemma Dryburgh and Gaby Lopez are two strokes back entering the weekend, with Brooke Henderson and Alexa Pano sitting three strokes back at -5.
On the celebrity side, Annika Sorenstäm and former NHL star Jeremy Roenick lead the way with 75 points.
The third round should see some higher scores as the wind is supposed to pick up while the temperatures drop.
