Round 2 of the Standard Portland Classic brought cooler conditions and a livelier breeze to Columbia Edgewater. Gray skies hung overhead as the wind swirled the trees and swept across the ryegrass and fescue of the roughs. Still, the conditions favored those with pinpoint approach shots and steady, disciplined play.
Jeongeun Lee5 found her rhythm in a big way, rattling off five birdies in a row from holes 5 through 9. She has been cashing checks with her wedges through two rounds, trusting the sharp end of the bag to do the talking. She’s found 30 of 36 greens, and from that sweet spot of 100 to 125 yards, she’s been carving darts -- twelve swings averaging just 17 and a half feet from the pin! That’s more than five feet better than the tour’s norm, the kind of margin that helps explain why Korea keeps producing world-beaters and why Lee5 looks perfectly comfortable on the course.
Also making moves was Canada's Savannah Grewal, posting a 67 on the day and making her tied for 8th at -8. Thailand's Jaravee Boonchant (WR 374) stole the spotlight with seven birdies on her way to an impressive 65.
Grace Kim kept herself in the hunt with some clutch up-and-downs, including a delicate chip from the water's edge on 10 and a textbook bunker escape on 14. Through two rounds she also carried not a simple stick of steel, but a precision putter, the ball chasing her will across the greens. More than a hundred feet of putts have fallen for her each day, and nine times the ball has traveled ten feet or more to the hole. That momentum carried her to -11, locking in a two-way tie for second place. And now, thanks to a 7-under bet, her physical therapist is officially donning a yellow tutu at the International Crown -- with any luck Skippy will be in tow for good measure!
As Round 2 concludes, Jeongeun Lee5 holds solo first, with Gurleen Kaur and Grace Kim tied for second. A three-way tie for third includes Pajaree Anannarukarn, Ashleigh Buhai, and Akie Iwai, while Aline Krauter, Amelia Lewis, Yealimi Noh, and Miranda Wang share fourth place.
Round 2 Competition Highlights
Jeongeun Lee5 surged to the top with a blistering stretch of five straight birdies, reaching 12-under and leading by two shots at one stage. She followed her hot streak with a key par save at the par-5 10th.
Gurleen Kaur posted 12 pars and birdies for a 68, tying her with Grace Kim for second place.
Stacy Lewis recovered from a short missed birdie on 10 with birdies at 12, 14, and 16 displaying some excellent putting tempo.
Linn Grant had a streaky day, making important par saves but struggling at times with the putter including a bogey on 12.
Gigi Stoll, a hometown player from Oregon, had family following and nearly holed a chip early in her round, ultimately finishing the day with a 70.
Amelia Lewis (179th CME) battled to make the most of her limited LPGA status, executing a key bunker save under pressure.
Gabby Ruffels played with her brother Ryan on the bag, delivering a strong approach into 18 in her bid to contend.
Rose Zhang and Xiaowen Yin are tied for 27th after matching rounds of 64, with Zhang making a standout eagle on the par-4 ninth.
Julia Lopez Ramirez turned in a masterclass in par saves, carding 16 of them on the day.
Shout Out
Juli Inkster, affectionately dubbed the "least youthful" player in the field by cherished commentator Grant Boone, closed the day at +2 and sits at -1 overall. -- not enough to make the cut and stay in contention for the win but Juli, we love you. Absolute boss aura.
Kiara Romero (Amat), the Oregon Duck and world No. 766, eagled the par-5 12th and closed the day at 8-under, tied for sixth. Eyes on you, go get it.
Aditi Ashok marked India's Independence Day with precise approach shots to the center of the greens, opting for a steady, conservative strategy.
Gear Notes
Ashley Buhai switched to a new putter after her South Africa coaching session, rolling in five birdies to finish 4-under.