Charley Hull rides five birdies to 2-shot lead at The Annika

BELLEAIR, Fla. — Charley Hull made 5 birdies Friday for a 4-under 66 that gave her a two-shot lead and an additional day of her offseason vacation, together with a weekend date with Nelly Korda at The Annika.

Hull, who received in Saudi Arabia two weeks in the past to finish a two-year winless drought, pulled away with three birdies in a five-hole stretch on the again 9 at Pelican Golf Membership.

Korda, enjoying for the primary time in practically two months due to a minor neck damage, began with a bogey and completed with back-to-back birdies in her spherical of 68. She was two pictures behind and can be within the closing group with Hull.

As for that vacation?

Seems Hull made a wager together with her boyfriend that she may add one further day to her trip to Europe for each spherical she makes 5 birdies. She made seven birdies Thursday.

“I performed fairly stable,” Hull mentioned. “It was fairly windy, so fairly difficult. Yeah, made 5 birdies at present so further day on vacation.”

Alexa Pano made 9 birdies earlier than her spherical ended with a double bogey. It nonetheless was adequate for a 64 that left her three pictures behind, together with Jin Hee Im (65), Wichanee Meechai (66) and Mi Hyang Lee (68).

Pano is at No. 66 within the Race to CME Globe. That is the ultimate event to be among the many prime 60 who qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship subsequent week, the place the winner of the season finale receives $4 million.

Lee is at No. 59 and took a giant step towards ensuring she is down the Gulf coast in Naples.

However the consideration for the weekend is on the prime — Hull, the carefree character from England who has discovered a giant dose of confidence, and Korda, the perfect in ladies’s golf who took time to hitch different athletes posing for the Sports activities Illustrated swimsuit challenge.

“I all the time take pleasure in enjoying with Charley. She’s all the time a enjoyable time. Hopefully, we give an excellent present,” Korda mentioned.

Hull was at 10-under 130.

The wind was robust sufficient that Korda’s major aim was to attempt to preserve her pictures pin-high. Add that to slick greens, and he or she did properly for one more 66.

“They’re slick, yeah. It is like placing on ice virtually,” Korda mentioned. “They’re doing a extremely good job with the golf course, particularly with the wind and the way slick the greens are. I really feel like when the greens get that agency and quick, the wind truly performs an even bigger position within the putts as a result of it appears to simply form of play with the putt a little bit bit extra.”

Gabby Lopez of Mexico got here into the week at No. 61 within the Race to CME Globe and posted a 66 to hitch the group in a tie for eighth at 5-under 135, 5 pictures behind. Additionally at 135 was Carlota Ciganda, a Solheim Cup common from Spain who’s at No. 63.

Additionally at stake this week is retaining a full LPGA card for the highest 100. Yuri Yoshida got here into the week at No. 100 and missed the lower. Additionally lacking the lower was former main champion Hyo Joo Kim, who was at No. 58 on the factors checklist and may not make it to the ultimate week.