Hye-Jin Choi shook off a shaky start with characteristic resilience on Friday, recovering from consecutive early bogeys and sinking a crucial late eagle to card a three-under-par 67. Her second-round effort at Pelican Golf Club earned her a share of a crowded three-way lead at the top of the leaderboard at The Annika, setting up a thrilling weekend battle on the LPGA Tour.
Choi shares the tournament summit at 12-under 128 alongside Solheim Cup star Carlota Ciganda, who vaulted up the leaderboard with a brilliant flurry of birdies, and Lindy Duncan, who kept her composure with a solid round of 66. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Nelly Korda finds herself four shots back following a remarkably quiet, bogey-free round of 69 that left the American star marveling at the testing conditions of the course.
The Pelican Golf Club layout provided plenty of defensive teeth on Friday, particularly as shifting winds and lightning-fast Bermuda greens challenged the field. Korda, playing in her first competitive tournament in two months, managed a clean scorecard featuring fifteen straight pars, a lone birdie, and two closing pars. Yet, despite hitting plenty of fairways and greens, the dominant American could not convert her opportunities on the slick putting surfaces, leaving her with ground to make up heading into the weekend. A victory this week would carry historic significance for the 28-year-old, making her immediately eligible for the prestigious LPGA Hall of Fame. Reflecting on her round, Korda noted the stark contrast in conditions from the previous morning and praised the golf course’s defenses.
While Korda played conservatively, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda delivered the round of the day among the frontrunners. Showing the fiery competitive spirit that made her a standout during the Solheim Cup, Ciganda caught fire down the stretch, birdieing her final four holes to sign for a brilliant 63 and pull level with Choi and Duncan. Two shots further back, a formidable Japanese duo consisting of Mao Saigo, who shot a stellar 65, and Minami Katsu, who posted a 69, lurked menacingly at 10-under, ensuring that the leaders cannot afford any complacency over the final 36 holes.
For Choi, the position at the top of an LPGA leaderboard is both familiar territory and a hurdle she has long sought to clear. Now an LPGA member of five years, Choi’s professional career has often been viewed through the lens of her prodigious amateur talent. Most notably, she was just 17 years old when she held a late lead during the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open, ultimately finishing as the runner-up. More recently, she demonstrated her capability during the tour’s rigorous Asia swing, where she recorded runner-up finishes in both Shanghai and South Korea.
Choi’s path to the co-lead on Friday was far from straightforward. Playing alongside Korda for the opening two rounds, Choi suffered a rocky start with back-to-back bogeys, followed by another dropped shot on the par-five fourteenth hole, which marked her fifth hole of the day. However, rather than letting the momentum slip away, Choi leaned heavily on her recent experiences playing in championship groups. She steadily pieced together a series of birdies to claw her way back into red numbers. The turning point of her round arrived on the par-five seventh hole, where her approach shot took a favorable bounce around the green and rolled out to less than 15 feet, setting up a magnificent eagle putt that she calmly converted. Speaking after her round, Choi expressed confidence in her preparation and mental approach for the weekend, emphasizing that her recent experiences near the top of leaderboards have equipped her well to handle the pressure.
Scoring conditions lower down the field remained remarkably competitive. The cut line fell at one-under 139, reflecting the overall high standard of play across the deep field. As the final regular-season event of the LPGA Tour calendar, the stakes at Pelican Golf Club extend far beyond the immediate tournament trophy. Players are battling desperately to secure or improve their positions inside the top 60 of the Race to the CME Globe standings, which determines who advances to next week’s lucrative season finale in Naples, where a staggering $2 million winner’s check awaits.
Among those making a vital move toward the season finale was Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez. Fresh off an impressive Solheim Cup debut where she defeated Yealimi Noh in a crucial singles match, Ramirez carded a strong total to reach nine-under 131. Entering the week sitting precariously at No. 66 in the Race to the CME Globe rankings, her strong performance in Florida arrives at precisely the right moment as she fights to secure her ticket to Naples.
Lindy Duncan also enjoyed a memorable Friday, continuing a consistent run of form that has highlighted her seasoned career. The 35-year-old Floridian, who is still hunting for her maiden LPGA Tour victory, found herself sharing the 36-hole lead for the first time in her career. Fresh off a successful 2-1 performance in her own Solheim Cup debut, Duncan credited her relaxed mindset and the swift progression of the week for her success, noting that riding the wave of ongoing momentum has allowed her to play free and easy golf.
Further up and down the leaderboard, established names are positioning themselves for a weekend charge. England’s Charley Hull fired a stellar five-under 67 on Friday to move to seven-under par, putting herself within striking distance of the leaders. Hull was matched at seven-under by compatriot Lottie Woad, who completed a solid second round to keep herself firmly in the mix. With a congested leaderboard, rapidly shifting weather conditions, and a host of major champions and hungry contenders separated by only a few strokes, the third round of The Annika promises high-stakes drama as the players vie for position ahead of Sunday’s decisive championship conclusion.