Birdies, Eagled Dreams, and Rival Chemistry: Kupcho and Maguire Take Charge at the 2025 Dow Championship
Midland, Michigan – July 2025
The crowd at Midland Country Club got their money’s worth on Friday as Jennifer Kupcho and Leona Maguire lit up the course in Round 2 of the Dow Championship with a sizzling 10-under-par 60 in better-ball format. With fans enjoying the only team event on the LPGA Tour, the vibe was electric, the swings were smooth, and the birdies—well, they just kept dropping.
After two rounds, the Kupcho-Maguire duo now sits atop the leaderboard at a 13-under 127 total. That puts them one stroke ahead of Day 1 leaders Cassie Porter and Gemma Dryburgh, who followed up their hot start with a still-solid 62, but cooled off slightly after a string of six straight pars to close out their round.
🔥 Hot Start Sets the Tone
It didn’t take long for Kupcho and Maguire to make their intentions clear. After a steady alternate-shot round on Thursday that got them to 3-under, Friday's better-ball format gave them the freedom to get aggressive—and they took full advantage. A birdie on the opening hole and an early eagle set the tone.
“We just wanted to give ourselves two good looks on every hole,” said Maguire, who played her college golf at Duke. “And for the most part, we did that. Starting off with a birdie and then rolling in an eagle—it just made the momentum flow naturally.”
Kupcho, a Wake Forest alum and 2022 Dow co-champion, echoed the focus on consistency: “There’s still a lot of golf left, but if we can just keep playing our game, we’ll be in a good spot.”
🎯 Team Chemistry on Display
One of the most exciting aspects of the Dow Championship is watching partnerships unfold. Kupcho and Maguire aren’t just skilled players—they’ve faced each other in intense Solheim Cup battles, so they know how to handle pressure. But Friday wasn’t about rivalry—it was about rhythm and trust.
“I’ve always had respect for Leona’s game,” Kupcho said. “When you’re playing with someone who stays calm and confident, it really helps you stay in that zone.”
Their synergy was evident not just in the scorecard, but in their body language. High-fives, shared laughs, and constant communication made it clear—they’re clicking on every level.
⛳ Who’s Chasing?
While Kupcho and Maguire were grabbing the spotlight, there was no shortage of low numbers across the board:
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Sarah Schmelzel and Albane Valenzuela carded a sharp 61 to move to 11-under. Valenzuela credited the team chemistry: “I feed off Sarah’s energy. She keeps me calm and focused.”
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Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard matched that 61, also climbing to 11-under.
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Yan Liu and Yahui Zhang weren’t far behind either, posting a 62 to stay in striking distance.
These teams have plenty of firepower and with Saturday’s alternate-shot format—a notoriously tricky round on the calendar—there’s plenty of room for movement on the leaderboard.
💪 Veterans Holding Ground
Not to be forgotten, Lexi Thompson and Meghan Kang—who started strong with a 67 in Round 1—added a 65 to their card on Friday, putting them at 8-under overall and tied for ninth. Lexi kept it simple: “Fairways and greens. Hole a few more putts. That’s the goal.”
Their approach might seem understated, but in a field where every team is capable of going low, that kind of consistency can still win the weekend.
👑 What Happened to the Defending Champs?
Every tournament has its surprises—and not always the pleasant kind. Defending champions Ruoning Yin and Jeeno Thitikul, two players ranked in the top five in the world, haven't found their usual magic this week. After a 66 on Friday, they sit at 6-under, seven strokes off the lead. While not entirely out of it, they’ll need a monster weekend to climb back into contention.
That’s the beauty of the Dow format. One day you’re hanging on, the next you could surge with a hot alternate-shot round followed by a better-ball blitz. Never count out the champs.
🔄 What’s Next?
Here’s how the format shapes the rest of the championship weekend:
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Saturday: Alternate-shot round – a true test of team synchronization. One player tees off, the other hits the second shot, and they alternate until the ball is in the hole.
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Sunday: Back to better-ball, where both players play their own ball, and the best score counts for the team.
Kupcho and Maguire have the edge, but the alternate-shot format can shuffle the leaderboard quickly. “It’s about being patient and trusting each other,” Kupcho said. “Tomorrow’s a grind, but if we stick to our plan, we’ll be fine.”
📍 Why the Dow Championship Hits Different
The Dow Championship isn’t your typical LPGA stop. It’s the only official team event on the LPGA Tour, and it brings a totally different kind of energy to the course. From player pairings to strategy, it’s a showcase of collaboration, chemistry, and calculated risk-taking.
Midland Country Club—nestled in the heart of Michigan—is the perfect backdrop. The course rewards bold play but punishes sloppy execution. Fans get closer to the action, and players feel that buzz.
And let’s be honest: seeing some of the world’s best golfers strategize together, laugh between shots, and celebrate team birdies adds a whole new dimension to pro golf.
📝 Quick Round 2 Recap at a Glance:
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🏌️ Leaders: Jennifer Kupcho & Leona Maguire (-13) after a Round 2 score of 60
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🥈 1 shot back: Cassie Porter & Gemma Dryburgh (-12)
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💥 Notable Chasers: Schmelzel/Valenzuela, De Roey/Roussin-Bouchard, Liu/Zhang (-11)
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🔙 Defending Champs: Yin/Thitikul sitting at (-6)
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🕳️ Next Up: Saturday’s alternate-shot round—where nerves meet precision
Final Thoughts
Kupcho and Maguire have positioned themselves as the team to beat heading into the weekend. With a round like Friday's—full of precision, momentum, and team energy—they’ve got all the tools. But this is the Dow, and in a field this deep, anything can happen.
Strap in, golf fans. The weekend at Midland is about to get real interesting.
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