Leona Maguire battling to regain momentum in Singapore
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - MARCH 03: Leona Maguire of Ireland tees off on the eighth hole during the First Round of the HSBC Women's World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club on March 03, 2022 in Singapore. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Leona Maguire admits she's struggling for momentum after two bogeys in her last three holes left her six shots behind Amy Yang and world number one Jin Young Ko at halfway in the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.
The world number 19 carded three birdies and three bogeys in a level par 72 at Sentosa Golf Club's Tanjong Course to go into the weekend tied for 26th on two-under-par.
"It's tricky," said the Co Cavan star, who bogeyed the par-three third, birdied the ninth, 10th and 13th but then dropped shots at the par-five 16th and the 18th to finish in the middle of the pack in the no-cut event.
"One way or the other, I feel like a hit a couple shots in and got punished for them and didn't hit that bad of a shot.
"It's been hard to get some momentum on this golf course. I haven't given myself enough chances. I didn't quite play my best, and it was just a bit of a slow day, really."
Maguire won her maiden LPGA title a month ago and she's looking to get on a roll as she builds up to the first major of the season, the Chevron Championship at Mission Hills in California from March 31.
"I mean, just more of the same," she said of her plan of attack for the weekend. "Trying to hit my irons a little bit better, hole a few more putts and see how we go." (The goal) is just to play consistent, try and get myself in contention as much as possible. I mean, take it one tournament at a time, really."
Korean compatriots Ko and Yang carded five-under 67s on Friday to lead by one stroke from Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul (68), Canada's Brooke Henderson (68) and American Megan Khang (68).
Ko had five birdies in her bogey-free 67 — her 13th consecutive round in the 60s and her 44th sub-70 round since the beginning of last season.
"I just wanted to get some more birdies than yesterday," said Ko. "I really focused on my swing before the second shot or like before the green, into the green. So I made a lot of putts today."
Yang made seven birdies and two bogeys as she chases her fifth LPGA Tour title, all of which have come during the Asian swing.
"I was hitting the ball very solid today and also putted well," said Yang, who has two top-10s in her 12 previous HSBC appearances. "I was more aware of how to prepare for each shot than, you know, what outcome would come. And I think I did manage well today."
First-round leader Patty Tavatanakit followed Thursday's bogey-free 67 with a two-over 74 to slip to tied 21st on three-under.
Japan's Momoko Ueda aced the par-3 17th hole, from 166 yards with an 8-iron. It was the third hole-in-one of the 2022 LPGA Tour season.
