Kirk takes LPGA Tour lead after career-best 63
ONEIDA, WIS. » Katherine Kirk shot a career-best 9-under 63 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead in the weather-delayed second round of the inaugural Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.
Kirk, a 35-year-old Australian who has two victories in 14 years on the LPGA Tour, played the back nine in 7-under 29 at Thornberry Creek, the Oneida Nationowned resort near Green Bay. She eagled the par-5 13th and hit a hybrid to 4 feet on the 196-yard, par-3 17th for her final birdie of the day to finish at 13-under through two rounds.
“My husband was up here Monday and Tuesday with me, and he said to me last night, ‘Someone could easily shoot 8 under around here,’” Kirk said. “I’m just happy it was me, or 9 (under), I guess.”
Kirk finished her round before a 3½-hour delay for lightning in the area.
“Perfect conditions, really,” she said. “We only had a little bit of breeze, but the greens for us are softer than usual, so we’re able to basically throw darts at it, and I think that’s why you’re seeing so many low numbers out there.”
Jaye Marie Green birdied eight of her final 12 holes to shoot 66 and was three shots back. Sandra Gal of Germany was also 10 under through 13 holes when play was suspended because of darkness.
Green, 23, who played college golf at Florida and has never won on the LPGA Tour, had her brother, Matt, on the bag.
“Everything was clicking, and then my brother is cool to caddie for me,” Green said. “He me calm when I to kill him.”
Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand was four shots back after a second-round 68. Her younger sister, secondranked Ariya Jutanugarn, withdrew with a shoulder injury on Friday, one day after struggling to a 78.
South African Ashleigh Buhai (66), South Korean Ilhee Lee (68) and Pavarisa Yoktuan of Thailand (68) were also four shots back. Christina Kim, Karine Icher, Amelia Lewis and Madeleine Sheils were another shot behind, along with Cristie Kerr, who had five holes left to play.
“I’m trying to tighten up my putting a little bit because this is a putting match out here,” Lewis said. “Whoever can make the putts is going to win this thing.” helps keep don’t want
Struggling McIlroy misses the cut again
PORTSTEWART, NORTHERN IRELAND » Rory McIlroy missed the cut at the Irish Open for the fourth time in five years, leading the four-time major winner to express concerns on Friday about parts of his game ahead of the British Open.
McIlroy shot 1-over 73 in his second round over the links at Portstewart and was 1 over for the tournament, which he is hosting to benefit his foundation. He was four strokes below the cut mark and 14 strokes off the joint leaders, Benjamin Hebert and Daniel Im.
“My short game is not sharp enough and I’m making silly mistakes,” said McIlroy, who refused to blame his performance on the fact he was busy at the start of the week because he was hosting the event. “I’m not being very proficient with my scoring and making it difficult for myself.”
McIlroy also missed the cut at the U.S. Open last month and hasn’t had a victory so far in 2017, during which he has had two spells out because of a rib injury.
He will play one more event — the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links next week — before the British Open, which starts on July 20 at Royal Birkdale.