- Vu maintains two-stroke advantage with consecutive bogey-free rounds
- World No. 1 Korda and No. 2 Thitikul within striking distance
- Cut line set at 4-under 140 amid challenging course conditions
The LPGA Ford Championship at Whirlwind Golf Club has become a showcase of precision golf, with Lilia Vu delivering a masterclass in course management. The California native's 8-under 64 on Friday demonstrated remarkable consistency, building on her opening round 66 to establish a 14-under tournament total. This marks Vu's first 36-hole lead since her breakthrough 2023 major victories.
World-class competition trails closely, with Nelly Korda carding a 65 despite early putting struggles. When you're grouped with players performing at this level, it creates positive energy,Korda remarked about her pairing with Atthaya Thitikul, who electrified the morning round with an eagle-birdie charge. The Thai sensation's front-nine 29 highlighted the scoring potential of Chandler's desert layout.
Challenging green complexes have emerged as the tournament's defining characteristic. The combination of Arizona's arid climate and strategic pin placements has limited aggressive approaches, with only 22% of players averaging better than 70% greens in regulation. Vu attributed her success to disciplined shot selection: My caddie helped me focus on hitting specific landing zones rather than chasing perfect positions.
Regional weather patterns play a crucial role in course strategy. Morning groups benefit from softer conditions due to overnight irrigation, while afternoon players face firmer surfaces. This variance explains the 1.8-stroke scoring differential between early and late starters through two rounds.
Olympic medalist Lydia Ko provided the day's dramatic finish, closing with three consecutive scoring holes to secure weekend play. Meanwhile, former leader Charley Hull struggled to maintain momentum, dropping to T4 despite creative short-game recoveries.
Industry analysts note the tournament's significance in the evolving LPGA landscape. With 19 of the world's top 20 players competing, the Ford Championship serves as a critical early-season gauge for major championship readiness. Performance metrics reveal a 15% increase in driving accuracy among leaders compared to tour averages, underscoring the premium on positional play.
As players prepare for moving day, all eyes remain on Vu's pursuit of a historic bogey-free tournament. Only three players in the past decade have completed 72 holes without a dropped stroke on the LPGA Tour. With winds forecast to increase over the weekend, course management expertise will likely determine the eventual champion.