Hannah Green (-14) has taken the lead in the Ford Championship after signing off a masterful round of 61 strokes at the Sevilla Golf and Country Club in Arizona. The Australian golfer, who has already won this season, finished her round with an impressive streak of six consecutive birdies. No one was able to make more of a course that continues to offer a lot of birdies and low rounds.
Not to mention, in second place is Sarah Schmelzel (-13) after making 63 strokes, and Peiyun Chein (-13), who delivered a result of 65. No less than half of the participants signed rounds of less than 70 strokes. A birdie bonanza.
You have to play very well to keep up with the world’s best under these conditions, and this is precisely what Azahara Muñoz (-12) did this Friday. The golfer from Malaga made 68 strokes, with seven birdies and three bogeys, and has placed herself in fourth place tied with Hyo Joo Kim (-12).
Again, her golf has been exceptional from tee to green, although today not as many putts have fallen. The climax of her round came in the final stretch, with three consecutive birdies on holes 5, 6 and 7. There she was one stroke from the lead, although she lost ground on 9 with a painful bogey. She hit a great second shot to the edge of the green, but from there she was not able to resolve it in two strokes. The first approach attempt fell short and then the par putt of about three meters made a nasty lip-out.
Be that as it may, Aza faces the last 36 holes of this tournament that debuts on the LPGA Tour calendar with her victory options intact and showing her number to players like Yuka Saso (-11), Lydia Ko (-11), Lexi Thompson (-10), Nasa Hataoka (-10), Megan Khang (-10), Sei Young Kim (-10), Nelly Korda (-10) or Celine Boutier (-10). As you can see, the traffic jam at -10 is high-flying. There are 21 players separated by only four strokes and in a scenario where very few are made… Artillery fire.
Carlota Ciganda (-9) has lost some ground, but keeps her chances of victory intact. The Navarrese has suffered a small short circuit in two holes that has cost her dearly. She made a bogey and double bogey on holes 8 and 9, compensated with four birdies, three of them on the par 5s, Carlota’s main weapon. She has more than enough margin to reach Sunday as one of the main candidates for victory.
