Peiyun Chien, also known as "Money," showcased her skills on Friday at the Ford Championship with a stunning bogey-free 7-under 65, propelling her to the top of the leaderboard. Her nickname, "Money," is even stamped on her leather yardage book, and she lived up to it with her performance.
However, Chien was just the beginning of the low scores at Seville Golf and Country Club in Gilbert. The course's wide fairways encouraged players to be aggressive off the tee, while the superb green conditions resulted in numerous drained putts. After Chien's impressive round, local favorite Sarah Schmelzel, a three-time high school championship team member, carded a remarkable 9-under 63, the first of the second round and the third of the week.
But as Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friends." Yuka Saso followed with another 63, showcasing her love for the Arizona desert, where she had an albatross in a previous championship. The highlight of the day, however, was Hannah Green's performance. Despite feeling under the weather before her round, Green managed to shoot an incredible 61, her first ever, fueled by an impressive streak of six consecutive birdies.
Green, who recently won her fourth LPGA tournament, could become the first two-time winner of 2024. However, she faces stiff competition from Schmelzel, who has yet to win on tour but has shown consistent performance this year.
With clear skies and a high of 82 degrees on Friday, the weather is expected to change dramatically over the weekend, with strong winds forecasted for Saturday and rain likely on Sunday. This could add an exciting twist to the tournament as players navigate the challenging conditions.
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