Cydney Clanton posted second-round 5-under 67 and heads into the weekend in Phoenix with a one-shot lead at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup.
Clanton, who had never before held the 36-hole lead, got off to a slow start on Friday and turned at even-par 36. But a closing nine of 5-under 31, highlighted by a hole-out eagle on the par-4 13th, moved the American to the top of the leaderboard at 9-under par.
“I played really good and made some clutch putts coming in. The hole out was pretty special, any time you don’t have to putt is nice,” said Clanton, who played her college golf at Auburn University.
“I haven’t been in this position in a long time. I won back in 2013 (on the Symetra Tour) and wasn’t even in the lead at all that tournament. Just came back and won. It has been awhile since I’ve been in the lead, so tomorrow (Saturday) just going to take it one shot at a time, one hole at a time.”
Another American, Marina Alex, shot a bogey-free 66 and is tied for second with Thai Ariya Jutanugarn (68), France’s Karine Icher (69), and Colombian Mariajo Uribe (68) at 8-under par.
“It’s finally just coming together, which has been great. The past year or so has been just a little bit of progress. Hopefully just keep progressing this year,” said Alex, who entered Phoenix off three-straight finishes T31 or better.
Two more Americans in Jessica Korda (68) and Mo Martin (66) sit T6 at 7-under par, one clear of compatriots Michelle Wie (68), Brittany Lincicome (66), Amelia Lewis (67), and Kyung Kim (68), who are T8 alongside Korea’s Hee Young Park.
In all, 10 of the top 14 positions on the board are held by Americans.
TOP 10
1 Cydney Clanton -9
2 Ariya Jutanugarn -8
2 Karine Icher -8
2 Marina Alex -8
2 Mariajo Uribe -8
6 Mo Martin -7
6 Jessica Korda -7
8 Hee Young Park -6
8 Brittany Lincicome -6
8 Kyung Kim -6
8 Amelia Lewis -6
8 Michelle Wie -6
STAT LEADERS
DRIVING DISTANCE
1 Sung Hyun Park 294.5 (-5)
2 Angel Yin 293.0 (-2)
3 Maude-Aimee Leblanc 286.5 (-4)
FAIRWAYS
1 Christina Kim 27/28 (+1)
1 Maria Torres 27/28 (+4)
1 Gemma Dryburgh 27/28 (+4)
GREENS
1 Cydney Clanton 34/36 (-9)
1 Karine Icher 32/36 (-8)
3 Seon Woo Bae 31/36 (-4)
3 Ryann O’Toole 31/36 (-1)
3 Brianna Do 31/36 (-1)
PUTTS PER GIR
1 Mariajo Uribe 1.50 (-8)
2 Paula Reto 1.55 (-2)
3 Dani Holmqvist 1.57 (-4)
VIDEO
Marina Alex with long bomb for birdie on the par-4 13th hole.
QUOTABLE
“I’m pretty comfortable hitting it into any pin. Even when it’s windy, I’m pretty comfortable and confident in my ability to do it. So, yes, definitely the weather allowed for me to be more aggressive, but the greens are also receptive. I can pretty much be as aggressive as I want.”
– Cydney Clanton
Credits: LPGA Communications, Getty Images
