McDonald Stays Calm and Collected in Round Two of ANA Inspiration

KIM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE JOY

For In-Kyung Kim, her golf career was long defined by a single putt, a 1-foot gimme that she missed on the 18th green of the Dinah Shore Course in 2012. That putt, which would have brought Kim major glory, instead brought her major heartbreak, as she lost the tournament in a playoff. 

So how was Kim able to move on from that moment of infamy? Her priorities aren’t necessarily always on the golf course. She has long been the definition of a Renaissance woman. Just look at her Instagram feed. You’re more likely to see inspirational quotes, videos of Kim playing various instruments, stacks of books or images honoring her beloved Beatles than you are to see anything about her on the golf course.

“Sometime winning is great, but for me as an athlete, you want to see some progress in your game,” said Kim. “That's what I'm focusing on at the moment. That gives me joy. So anything else really is just a bonus, an extra.”

Kim finally avenged that disappointment in 2017, when she captured her first major win at the AIG Women’s British Open along with two other Tour victories. After taking an extended off-season to ensure her body was in top form, Kim is back on the course and looks to be right in her stride.

“Every stage, every passage of life has meaning to it and serves some purpose to it, so I'm just here doing my best,” said Kim. “I've done great - I mean, I wouldn't say great - but done pretty good work over the winter. I just feel like I want to see what happens.” 

KIRK PROVES THAT AGE IS JUST A NUMBER 

Katherine Kirk shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to reach -5 through 36 holes at the ANA Inspiration. The Australian sits three shots back of 36-hole leader In-Kyung Kim in solo second.

“Yeah, really great front nine, and then back nine got a little bit tougher,” said Kirk, who made five birdies on the front nine but with winds picking up late in her round, closed with consecutive bogeys. “Obviously finishing bogey, bogey is a bit disappointing, but I'm happy with the score. Lots of positives, so looking forward to the weekend.”

Kirk is a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour, with her last win coming at the 2017 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic, ending a seven-year winless drought. With a 12-year difference between the average age of the 2019 winners (24.86) and the 37-year-old veteran, Kirk is determined that her best years in golf still lie ahead of her. 

“I'm still enjoying golf. I still feel competitive. I haven't put any pressure on myself in terms of how many years more I'm going to do this,” said Kirk, who is in her 16th year on Tour. “Just want to keep getting better. I feel like I'm doing that and I can I feel like I can still compete.” 

MCDONALD STAYS CALM AND COLLECTED DURING SECOND ROUND

Ally McDonald went to bed last night hoping to remain as calm possible for the second round of the ANA Inspiration. She did not check any social media, only responded to texts from friends and family and “tried to stay away from some of the noise.” That strategy seemed to work, as McDonald followed her first round 68 with an even-par round and is tied for third at -4, four strokes back of leader In-Kyung Kim.

Despite the attempts to stay relaxed, the first tee was still a nerve-wracking experience for the 26-year-old, who slept on a lead for the first time in her LPGA career. Once she got through the first hole, where a wild tee shot led to a bogey, McDonald began to settle in. “Today was really just one of those grinding days. I missed a lot of greens in the last few holes,” said McDonald. “Just kind of settled for some pars and that's just how was it.”

McDonald is now closer to her first LPGA win, but recognizes the talented field fighting alongside her. “No matter if you're a top-ranked player that every week you're considered a good chance to win, to girls just getting started, to girls who have been out here maybe in a biggest bit of a struggle, just speaks to how strong our fields are every week and who can get it done,” said McDonald.

To stay in contention, McDonald said she needs to trust in her ability and rely on her confidence within. “Some weeks are going to be good; some aren't.” said McDonald. “But with 36 holes under my belt and knowing that I struck it pretty good, driven the ball pretty well, I am excited, but there is still a lot more golf to play.”

PLAYER NOTES

Rolex Rankings No. 106 Ally McDonald (68-72)

• She hit 11 of 14 fairways and eight of 18 greens, with 26 putts
• This is McDonald’s fourth year with LPGA Tour status (she primarily played the Epson Tour in 2016); her best finish is a tie for third at the 2018 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G
• This is McDonald’s sixth event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is T29 at the Honda LPGA Thailand
• She is competing in her second ANA Inspiration; she missed the cut in 2018
• In 2016, she finished the Epson Tour season with $110,359, the second highest total in Tour history; she had eight top-10 finishes, including four runner-up showings
• Also in 2016, she won the Epson Tour’s Heather Wilbur Spirit Award, which honors the player who best exemplifies dedication, courage, perseverance and love of the game and spirit toward achieving goals as a professional golfer
• She was a two-time First Team All-American during her four years at Mississippi State University

Rolex Rankings No. 5 Jin Young Ko (69-71)

• She hit nine of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens, with 28 putts
• Ko is in her second season on the LPGA Tour; she won the 2018 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in her Membership debut and won the 2017 LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship as a non-Member
• This is Ko’s sixth event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; she won the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, finished second at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and tied for third at the HSBC Women’s World Championship
• She is competing in her fourth ANA Inspiration; her best finish is T64 in 2018
• Ko won the 2018 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year honors, an award she clinched with four events remaining in the season

IN THE HISTORY OF THE ANA INSPIRATION

• 77 players made the cut at +5, including amateurs Patty Tavatanakit and Albane Valenzuela 
• The lowest cut score was +1 (145) in 2018, with 76 players making the cut
• The highest cut score was +11 (155) in 1983 and in 1987
• The most players to make the cut number was in 2012 with 82 players at +4
• The most amateurs ever to make the cut was five in 2013 (Ashlan Ramsay, Stephanie Meadow, Lydia Ko, Camilla Hedberg and Angel Yin)
• Seven past ANA Inspiration champions made the cut — Lexi Thompson (-3, T5), Stacy Lewis (E, T19), Brittany Lincicome (E, T19), Lydia Ko (+1, T28), Inbee Park (+1, T28), Morgan Pressel (+2, T41) and So Yeon Ryu (+5, T63)