Ewart Shadoff leads LPGA Mediheal Championship

Jodi Ewart Shadoff held onto her Thursday lead at the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship, turning it into a 36-hole lead on Friday at The Saticoy Club. Ewart Shadoff followed up a first-round 64 with a second-round 69 to sit four strokes ahead of the field at eleven-under-par overall. Her 133 is a new tournament scoring record, besting the record which was previously earned by Jessica Korda at Lake Merced Country Club in 2018 by five strokes (138).
 

The 133 ties Ewart Shadoff’s second-best 36-hole score in her Tour career and is her lowest since the 2020 Dana Open presented by Marathon, where she recorded a 130 and finished in a tie for second.
It’s only the third time the Englishwoman has held a second-round lead/co-lead, and the first time since the 2020 LPGA Drive On Championship at Inverness.
“Playing really consistent, and I feel really in control of my game,” said Ewart Shadoff. “Just staying in my routine and hitting some good shots, rolling in the putts, so everything seems to be going well so far.”

Ewart Shadoff, who finished tied ninth at the Lake Merced event in 2021, started the morning strong with four birdies in her first six holes, but added only two more in her last 12 holes along with three bogeys on the 7th, 13th and 17th. Ewart Shadoff credits her success to how she’s handled herself off the tee, as she’s hit every single fairway through the first two rounds. Ewart Shadoff entered the week 25th on Tour in driving accuracy, with a season average of 79.14%.

“Nice couple birdies on 1 and 2, so that was a really nice start. Yeah, hit it really close on 4, so, 3-under through four holes is a very quick start,” said Ewart Shadoff. “Turned at 4-under, so I was good. The wind started to pick up a little bit on the back nine, which is a little bit tricky, but, yeah, I played really well again today, and, yeah, hopefully do the same at the weekend.”
Sitting in solo second is South Africa’s Paula Reto at -7 after a 2-under 70 on Friday, which included five birdies and three bogeys on the card. Reto, who is just over a month removed from becoming a Rolex First-Time Winner at the CP Women’s Open, has played in four events since her maiden title and recently earned a T10 finish at the AmazingCre Portland Classic.
“I feel so good. I'm excited. I just love to compete a lot, so if I can play a tournament every week I would. I just have to really pace myself, but I'm excited,” said Reto. “I'm also excited for a good off-season. Like I said, just enjoy playing golf and enjoy competing. It's kind of sad that we only have a few more events left.”

Seven players sit in a tie for third at -6, including LPGA Tour winners Eun-Hee Ji and Gaby Lopez, as well as Xiyu Lin, who has earned two runner-up performances in her last three events. Lin will play the weekend for the 30th time in a row, dating back to her last missed cut at the 2021 Pure Silk Championship.
“It's funny, right before Canada, like my coach and I was talking about this last seven, eight events I'm playing. You know, we set up some new goals and kind of reminded myself I still haven't got a win yet, so I've been very motivated,” said Lin. “It's been good. I think like right now, last couple tournaments, I mean, of course I wish I got a win, but I think I'm in a really good position. Like I'm not under any pressure. I just try to perform, be aggressive, learn from this. So I really enjoy the process right now.”

Nine players are T10 at six-under, including major champions Hinako Shibuno and Georgia Hall, and two-time Epson Tour winner Lucy Li. There were 73 players who made the cut at one-over, including California native Paula Creamer (T34), whose second round 68 ties her lowest 18-hole score since returning to the Tour after becoming an #LPGAMom to her daughter, Hilton. Notables to miss the weekend in Somis include 2021 champion Matilda Castren, who went 73-73 in her maiden Tour title defence. Patty Tavatanakit withdrew during the second round due to injury, as did Maude Aimee Leblanc and Cristie Kerr on Thursday.