Charley Hull makes more birdies for more vacation time and a two-shot lead over Nelly Korda

BELLEAIR, Fla. – Charley Hull made five birdies for a 4-under 66 on Friday, giving her a two-shot lead and an extra day of off-season vacation, along with a weekend date with Nelly Korda at The Annika.

Hull, who won in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago to end a two-year winless drought, pulled away with three birdies in a five-hole stretch on the back nine at Pelican Golf Club.

Korda, playing for the first time in nearly two months due to a minor neck injury, started with a bogey and finished with back-to-back birdies in her round of 68. She was two shots behind and will be in the final group with Romp.

As for that vacation?

It turns out that Hull has made a bet with her boyfriend that she can add an extra day to her holiday to Europe for every round she makes five birdies. She made seven birdies on Thursday.

“I played pretty solid,” Hull said. “It was quite windy, so quite difficult. Yes, I made five birdies today, so an extra day of vacation.”

Alexa Pano made nine birdies before her round ended with a double bogey. It was still good enough for a 64, leaving her three shots behind, along with Jin Hee Im (65), Wichanee Meechai (66) and Mi Hyang Lee (68).

Pano is ranked No. 66 in the Race to CME Globe. This is the final tournament to be among the top 60 to qualify for next week’s CME Group Tour Championship, where the winner of the season finale will receive $4 million.

Ranked at number 59, Lee has taken a big step to ensure she is along the Gulf Coast in Naples.

But at the top of the spotlight for the weekend are Hull, the carefree character from England who has found a great dose of self-confidence, and Korda, the best in women’s golf who took the time to join other athletes posing for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

“I always enjoy playing with Charley. She is always a fun time. Hopefully we put on a good show,” Korda said.

Hull was at 10-under 130.

The wind was so strong that Korda’s main goal was to try to keep her shots pin-high. Add that to smooth greens and she did well for another 66.

‘They’re smooth, yes. It’s almost like putting on ice cream,” Korda said. “They are doing very well with the golf course, especially with the wind and the smoothness of the greens. I feel like when the greens get so firm and fast, the wind actually plays a bigger role in the putts because it just seems to play with the putt a little bit more.

Mexico’s Gabby Lopez entered the week at No. 61 in the Race to CME Globe, posting a 66 to join the group in a tie for eighth at 5-under 135, five shots behind. Also at 135 was Solheim Cup regular Carlota Ciganda from Spain, who is ranked No. 63.

Also at stake this week is retaining a full LPGA card for the 100. Yuri Yoshida entered the week at No. 100 and missed the cut. Former major champion Hyo Joo Kim also missed the cut, ranking at number 58 on the points list and possibly not making it to the final week.

___

AP wave: https://apnews.com/hub/golf