McDonald holds slender lead in Greensboro

Ally McDonald shot a four-under-par 68 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead into the weekend in the LPGA Drive On Championship at Lake - Reynolds Oconee. Danielle Kang sits in second alongside Bianca Pagdanganan of the Philippines on nine-under-par.

The 27-year-old from Mississippi had a string of five consecutive birdies around the turn of her round but stumbled slightly over her closing holes with two bogies in her last five holes.
"I’m trying to just execute and stick to my game plan,” McDonald said.
“I think it’s really easy as a person who has never won to get ahead of yourself. We all really, really want to win. That’s why we do this. That’s why we compete — to put yourself in contention as much as we can."
Kang, who shared the overnight lead with Jennifer Song after an opening 65, followed with a round of 70 that included four birdies and two bogies. Kang leads the Race to CME Globe and the world number five must now be favourite for the title.
“I think I’m in a pretty good position for the weekend,” Kang said.
“Getting to know the golf course a little bit better every day. Today played differently than yesterday because teed off early and golf course played longer.”
Pagdanganan shot a round of 67 to sit alongside Kang and a shot ahead of Ariya Jutanugarn who sit alone in fourth after her own round of 67.

Katherine Kirk had one of the rounds of the day. The Australian birdied four of the last six holes in her round of 65 and sits on seven-under. Mel Reid who won her first LPGA Tour title three weeks ago sits alongside Kirk and fellow Solheim Cup teammate Pernilla Lindberg in a tie for fifth.

Of the bigger names, Lydia Ko shot a 70 to sit seven shots back from the lead on three-under-par. Lexi Thompson is on one-over-par after a disappointing 74 and Minjee Lee of Australia was one-under after a 73.