AMERICAN ROOKIE RE-FINDS HER PASSION

LPGA Rookie Emily Tubert hopes she has re-found her form and her love of the game after firing a seven-under par 65 to grab the clubhouse lead from the morning scores on day two of the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open.

The American moved to nine-under par after 36 holes, a shot ahead of playing partner Amy Boulden (Wales) who followed her opening round 66 with a two-under 70 today.

Tubert, who played against Boulden in the 2012 Curtis Cup, believes the pair worked well together over the first two days.

“I had the pleasure with Amy which was neat. We both played well and fed off that.”

For more on the fantastic run from the tournament invite, click here.

KO STILL IN CONTENTION

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko is eight shots back of the lead at 6-under par for the tournament. The crowds have been swarming Ko all week as she bids for her fourth career New Zealand Women’s Open title and 15th career LPGA victory.

Ko knows that perfect conditions and a hot round could put her right back in the mix for the win.

“We still have 36 holes to go and a lot of golf to be played,” Ko said. “You never know until the final putt drops on the last day. If it is calm someone could shoot 10 under and be the ones holding the trophy. I think the weather will be a huge factor for the weekend.”

MEXICAN PLAYERS DONATING WINNINGS TO EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND

Gaby Lopez is playing for a bigger purpose this week at the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open. Lopez is donating 100% of her winnings for the week towards aiding the victims of the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that killed 331 people and damaged more than 11,000 homes in Mexico City last week.

Epson Tour player Margarita Ramos teamed up with Lopez and Alejandra Llaeneza in Auckland and donating her winnings from the IOA Golf Classic and the Epson Tour Championship, along with a $25 birdie pledge. Click here for more.

Lopez is part of a group called LoveArmyMexico that empowers the people by paying them for participating in the re-building. Their goal is to raise $1 million which will go directly towards rebuilding houses for those who have lost their homes as a result of the earthquake. Each rebuild should cost approximately $10,000 - if they reach their goal, they could rebuild close to 100 homes.

“I commit myself to donate all my earnings this week to help Mexico,” Lopez said. “I don’t know what it’s going to be, but I’ll just play my heart out and play my best for Mexico.”

Those interested in donating can do so here.

78 PLAYERS MAKE CUT

The cutline fell at 1-over par after Friday’s second round, leaving 78 players in the field for the weekend.

Notable players to miss the cut include veteran Angela Stanford (+3), 2017 Team Europe Solheim Cup member Emily K. Pedersen (+) and 2017 rookie from Iceland Olafia Kristinsdottir (+6).

QUICK HITS

Belen Mozo is searching for her first top-10 finish of the year - she has five in her LPGA career and has never won on the LPGA Tour.
Mozo holds the lead heading into the weekend for the first time in her LPGA career.
Mozo’s 8-under par 64 was the lowest round of her LPGA career.
Prior to this week, Emily Tubert had made the cut in 6-of-15 starts in her rookie campaign with a season-best T41 finish at the Cambia Portland Classic.
Madelene Sagstrom (-9) was the 2016 Epson Tour Player of the Year.

Rookie Re-Finds Her Passion, Ko Contends And More From New Zealand

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