SZOKOL RECOVERS FROM SHAKY START TO POST A 71:
Elizabeth Szokol (Winnetka, Illinois) didn’t have another 9-under, 63 in her on Saturday, but she recovered from an uneven start to post a 1-under, 71. She is the clubhouse leader at 10-under, 136.“It’s hard to follow a 9-under-par and I started off kind of rough,” admitted Szokol, who was 2-over after four holes. “I sorted out my driver after the first seven holes and started giving myself chances and still made four birdies, which I’m happy about.”
Szokol made all four of her birdies between the fifth and tenth holes. Including her eight birdies on Friday, she has made 12 birdies over her first 36 holes.
“There are definitely birdie chances out there and if I can hit my driver straight, I will have birdie chances,” said Szokol. “I feel like I can get close to pins so it will just be a matter of making putts.”
The former University of Virginia star has taken full advantage of her length this week. She was 3-under on the par-5 holes on Saturday and 5-under on Friday.
“Pretty much all the par-5 holes are reachable for me,” said Szokol. “I’m able to try and get home in two and I’ve had some tap-in birdies.”
Szokol ranks 18th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list and could move as high as 13th with a win on Sunday. She has four career top 10 finishes, but will go for her first win.
NO. 9 ON MONEY LIST WEAVER CARDS A 65
Lindsey Weaver (Bellefontaine, Ohio) made eight birdies on Saturday and made her move up the leaderboard with a 7-under, 65. She moved from a tie for 30th to fourth.“I made so many birdies today, I hit my irons well and basically every birdie I made was within five feet,” said Weaver, who carded a 71 on Friday. “I made a long putt on 12 from a different tier that kind of propelled me. I made a bogey on 15, but came right back with a birdie on 16 after I hit it to two feet.”
Weaver made five birdies on her inward nine.
The 24-year-old is 32-under in second round’s this season. She also carded a 7-under, 65 in the second round of the PHC Classic in Milwaukee in August.
“If I can shoot under-par in the first-round, that usually gives me confidence,” said Weaver. “In round two, I just try to give myself chances and I put myself in the hunt so anything can happen.”
Weaver ranks No. 9 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list with nine top 10 finishes on the year. She has earned $50,477 in 18 starts.
ELIZABETH NAGEL CARDS A 69 WITH A DOUBLE:
Former Michigan State star Liz Nagel (DeWitt, Michigan) survived a double-bogey on the par-5 17th hole to shoot a 3-under, 69. Nagel is now 7-under, 137 through two rounds and tied for fifth.“Yeah, 17 is a tough hole and the tee was moved up and I was a little aggressive,” said Nagel about the double-bogey. “Still happy to make a good par on the last hole and be where I am at for tomorrow.”
Nagel made five birdies during a six hole stretch on the front nine from holes three through eight.
“I had a lot of good numbers today and that is important when you try to hit the right spots on the greens,” explained Nagel. “Sunday will be all about the front nine and trying to get myself in position to make a push at the top.”
OF NOTE
- Grace Na made a hole-in-one on hole 13 on Saturday. It was her first ace in a tournament round and her eighth overall.
- Former Auburn star Karlin Beck also made a hole-in-one on hole 16, but hasn’t finished her second round yet.
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