Brooke Henderson wasted no time moving into the lead in round two on Thursday at the LOTTE Championship. After a 68 in round one on Wednesday, she had a 7:55 a.m. local tee time Thursday and made birdie on her first, the tenth hole, to move into a share of the lead. Henderson will take a two-shot lead into the weekend over Mo Martin and World No. 1 Shanshan Feng.
"Today was a lot of fun, I got off to a really fast start," said Henderson, who said she played more aggressively in round two after the fast start. "I made a lot of clutch par saves to keep the momentum and keep it bogey-free. I feel like I'm in a great spot and I'm hitting the ball really well and I can depend on my putting right now."
In fact, she made four birdies in her first six holes to grab sole possession of the top spot in Oahu, Hawaii.
"The wind wasn't as strong early today and there were softer conditions," said Henderson about the early tee time. "Fortunately it didn't rain too hard and it helped with the softness of the course."
Henderson proceeded to make pars on her next nine holes before back-to-back birdies on holes seven and eight towards the end of her round to get to 10-under. She closed with a par on nine to turn in a 6-under, 66, her second lowest round of 2018 (65 in the third round of the HSBC Women's World Championship).
Through 36 holes, Henderson has yet to make a bogey.
The five-time LPGA winner has been red-hot with the putter. She needed just 26 putts on Wednesday and only 24 on Thursday. The longest putt Henderson made on Thursday was a 21-foot birdie on hole eight.
"I've struggled early in the year with the putting so I'm thankful for my putter this week," explained Henderson, who finished T11 in Hawaii last year. "I'm seeing the lines and I'm really confident with my putter right now."
Henderson has picked up at least one win in each of her first three years on the LPGA dating back to her first win in 2015 at the Cambia Portland Classic as a non-member. She won twice in 2017.
Henderson, who started playing hockey when she was eight, is wearing a yellow and green ribbon to honor the 16 killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus accident. The junior hockey league team in Saskatchewan was en route to a playoff game.
"To be able to honor them and to remember those that have passed away and all the survivors that are fighting for their life and overcoming the injuries that they had there," remarked Henderson about the ribbons. "It was pretty terrible what happened. They're in my thoughts and prayers."
Lindy Duncan. Penilla Lindberg and Inbee Park are tied for fourth at 6-under.
Mo Martin Has Good Vibes After Scuba Diving in Hawaii
Like most players, Hawaii just gives Mo Martin positive vibes. It also helps that she's staying with fellow former UCLA Bruins in Mariajo Uribe and Tiffany Joh and good friend Vicky Hurst, who Martin refers to as an "honorary Bruin".
Martin went out in the morning on Thursday and birdied three of her first five holes and made six birdies on the day to post a 67. She climbed to 8-under for the tournament and has made just two bogeys through 36 holes.
"I'm feeling the aloha spirit here, yeah having a fun week," said the major champion. "I love playing in the wind, it definitely brings out the creativity and I just love coming here."
Martin actually came out to Hawaii early to go scuba diving. She's a certified scuba diver and so is Uribe. Martin's instructor actually came to the course on Thursday to watch her play.
While she didn't play well at the Kia Classic or the ANA Inspiration, Martin does have two top 20 finishes this season and feels like her game is in a good spot.
"I've been playing well and I had a great Easter with my family and that always rejuvenates me," said Martin. "I'm looking forward to going into the weekend in good position."
Martin's only career win on the LPGA was the 2014 Ricoh Women's British Open.
Inbee Park Has Been Coming to Hawaii Since She was Four
Inbee Park had another ho-hum Inbee Park type day with three birdie and 15 pars to move to 6-under for the tournament.
"Yesterday was definitely tougher conditions than today," said Park, who also posted a 69 on Wednesday. "I had more opportunities to make a couple coming in, but I wasn't able to, but I'm still really happy with the round."
Historically, Park has played well in Hawaii. She finished T11 last year and in second in 2015.
"I just love coming to Hawaii, it's definitely one of the best weeks on tour, Hawaii is paradise," said the No. 3 ranked player in the world. "I've had some good finishes on the course so I like it here."
Park said playing in Hawaii makes her feel relaxed. Her trips to Hawaii almost have a "holiday" type feel and there is a reason why.
"Since I was a little kid, my family always came to Hawaii for vacation," said Park, who has been coming to the island since she was four years old. "This is like another home for me, I love to come here and hang out at the beach. Windy conditions don't bother me because I'm used to it."
World No. 1 in Hunt for Another Win
Shanshan Feng, World No. 1, did exactly what she needed to remain in the hunt heading into the weekend. After a 5-under, 67 on Wednesday, she carded a bogey-free 69 on Thursday to pull within two of Henderson at 8-under.
"I did well on the par-5s," said Feng. "In a windy situation like this, I shouldn't be asking for too much. I'm happy with my round."
Feng dominated the par-5s on Thursday, making birdie on three of the four par-5 holes.
The 28-year-old is likely to stay at No. 1 in the world for a 23rd consecutive week based on her position into the weekend.
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