Golf

Aussies hold firm as Young Ko, Doherty grab LPGA lead

By AAP Newswire

May 16, 2026

pORTER — Cassie Porter is tied 10th and four behind the lead in the Kroger Queen City Championship. -AAP Image

Jin Young Ko and Amanda Doherty each shot four-under 66 to share the second-round lead in the Kroger Queen City Championship.

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Cassie Porter (68) and Robyn Choi (67) also put together solid rounds to remain in the mix at Maketewah Country Club on Friday.

Porter is tied 10th, four behind the lead at three under, while Choi is a shot behind her and equal 16th.

Both Australians had steady rounds with Porter making three birdies and one bogey in her two-under round.

Choi produced three birdies without any dropped shots in one of Friday's better rounds.

They will all be wary of Nelly Korda though, with the world No.1 three shots back from the lead and hoping to secure her third straight victory.

Korda had two late birdies in a 67 in the morning session. She won The Chevron Championship for her third major, then followed with a victory in Mexico before taking last week off.

"There have definitely been some loose shots," Korda said. "Not really happy with the way I'm hitting it right now, but overall, I mean, I'm not complaining with the position I'm in.

"Hopefully, I can go figure something out again on the range after today."

Ko had a bogey-free round in the morning to reach seven-under 133 on the first-year venue. The 30-year-old South Korean player has 15 LPGA Tour victories, winning two majors in 2019.

"Getting older, like little more afraid and think too much," Ko said. "I'm just trying to be like the time, like 2018 through 2021. So, brave is good key for me, and just have fun."

Doherty had five birdies and a bogey in the afternoon session, closing with a birdie on the par-3 18th. The 28-year-old former Florida State player is winless on the tour. She's fighting to secure higher tour status to avoid missing events.

"I'm really excited," Doherty said. "I'm just excited to be teeing it up this week after reshuffling after Mexico. I'm going in with that mindset I think and just happy to be here and happy to be playing."

Lottie Woad was a stroke back after her brilliant 64 - the joint best round of the day with In Gee Chun. Woad played the first 10 holes in six under. Lydia Ko, playing alongside Korda and Jeeno Thitikul, was another shot back after a 67.

Korda and Thitikul (67) were four under with Jennifer Kupcho (66), Chella Choi (70) and Rio Takeda (70). Thitikul won the Mizuho Americas Open last week in New Jersey.

The shot of the day belonged to Jodi Ewart Shadoff, who had an ace in her round of 66.

Ewart Shadoff is tied 10th, four behind the leaders.

with AAP