April 04-07
Mission Hills CC, Dinah Shore Course, Rancho Mirage, California
$3,000,000
Round 1, Round 3, Round 4

In-Kyung Kim has a score to settle at the ANA Inspiration, and she put herself in a promising position to do so with a seven-under-par 65 to take the halfway lead.

In 2012, the Korean missed a putt from a foot to secure her first major title here at Mission Hills Country Club, and then lost the subsequent play-off to Sun-Young Yoo.

© Gabe Roux

The 30-year-old has not been in contention in this tournament since then, but soared clear of the field on Friday with a superb round on a warm, windy day in California.

At eight under she leads by three shots from New Zealand’s Katherine Kirk, who signed for a 68, with American Ally McDonald (72) and Korean Jin Young Ko (71) at four under. Five players including home favourite Lexi Thompson (72) and England’s Charley Hull (69) are tied fifth at three under.

“I wasn't really paying attention to the leaderboard because I'm just blessed to be here,” said Kim, who claimed her first major title at the 2017 Women’s British Open. “For a long time it was one of my goals (to win), but now I'm just really happy to be out here.

“I was seeing some lines today and getting my putting speed right. I knew my game has been getting better since last week. This morning was a little calmer and wasn’t very cold. The ball was actually flying a little shorter than yesterday, so I had to adjust that for a few holes in the morning.”

Kirk was six under for the day through 16 holes, but dropped shots on 17 and 18 to blight her scorecard.

“There were lots of positives,” said the three-time LPGA Tour winner. “The first 16 holes were pretty textbook. I'm happy with the way I'm swinging it. I made a club error on 17, but that's part of golf. On 18 it was a bad swing off the tee and I didn't really have much of a second shot.

“That's golf. Sometimes you get a break and sometimes you don't, but I’m really happy with the score.

“This golf course is all about being patient and picking and choosing your spots to be conservative, be aggressive. I think my best golf is still ahead of me, which is nice to say at 37.”

Seventy-seven players made the cut at five over par, but that number did not include defending champion Pernilla Lindberg, who had rounds of 73 and 78.

Ally McDonald went to bed last night hoping to remain as calm possible for the second round of the ANA Inspiration. She did not check any social media, only responded to texts from friends and family and “tried to stay away from some of the noise.” That strategy seemed to work, as McDonald followed her first round 68 with an even-par round and is tied for third at -4, four strokes back of leader In-Kyung Kim.

Despite the attempts to stay relaxed, the first tee was still a nerve-wracking experience for the 26-year-old, who slept on a lead for the first time in her LPGA career. Once she got through the first hole, where a wild tee shot led to a bogey, McDonald began to settle in. “Today was really just one of those grinding days. I missed a lot of greens in the last few holes,” said McDonald. “Just kind of settled for some pars and that's just how was it.”

McDonald is now closer to her first LPGA win, but recognizes the talented field fighting alongside her. “No matter if you're a top-ranked player that every week you're considered a good chance to win, to girls just getting started, to girls who have been out here maybe in a biggest bit of a struggle, just speaks to how strong our fields are every week and who can get it done,” said McDonald.

To stay in contention, McDonald said she needs to trust in her ability and rely on her confidence within. “Some weeks are going to be good; some aren't.” said McDonald. “But with 36 holes under my belt and knowing that I struck it pretty good, driven the ball pretty well, I am excited, but there is still a lot more golf to play.”

Player Notes

Rolex Rankings No. 106 Ally McDonald (68-72)

She hit 11 of 14 fairways and eight of 18 greens, with 26 putts

This is McDonald's fourth year with LPGA Tour status (she primarily played the Symetra Tour in 2016); her best finish is a tie for third at the 2018 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G

This is McDonald's sixth event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is T29 at the Honda LPGA Thailand

She is competing in her second ANA Inspiration; she missed the cut in 2018

In 2016, she finished the Symetra Tour season with $110,359, the second highest total in Tour history; she had eight top-10 finishes, including four runner-up showings

Also in 2016, she won the Symetra Tour's Heather Wilbur Spirit Award, which honors the player who best exemplifies dedication, courage, perseverance and love of the game and spirit toward achieving goals as a professional golfer

She was a two-time First Team All-American during her four years at Mississippi State University

Rolex Rankings No. 5 Jin Young Ko (69-71)

She hit nine of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens, with 28 putts

Ko is in her second season on the LPGA Tour; she won the 2018 ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in her Membership debut and won the 2017 LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship as a non-Member

This is Ko's sixth event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; she won the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, finished second at the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open and tied for third at the HSBC Women's World Championship

She is competing in her fourth ANA Inspiration; her best finish is T64 in 2018

Ko won the 2018 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year honors, an award she clinched with four events remaining in the season

In the history of the ANA Inspiration

77 players made the cut at +5, including amateurs Patty Tavatanakit and Albane Valenzuela 

The lowest cut score was +1 (145) in 2018, with 76 players making the cut

The highest cut score was +11 (155) in 1983 and in 1987

The most players to make the cut number was in 2012 with 82 players at +4

The most amateurs ever to make the cut was five in 2013 (Ashlan Ramsay, Stephanie Meadow, Lydia Ko, Camilla Hedberg and Angel Yin)

Seven past ANA Inspiration champions made the cut — Lexi Thompson (-3, T5), Stacy Lewis (E, T19), Brittany Lincicome (E, T19), Lydia Ko (+1, T28), Inbee Park (+1, T28), Morgan Pressel (+2, T41) and So Yeon Ryu (+5, T63)