October 22-25
Reynolds Lake Oconee, Great Waters Course, Greensboro, Georgia
$1,300,000
Round 1, Round 3, Round 4

Ally McDonald fired a 68 on Friday to reach 10-under 134 and take the lead in the LPGA Drive On Championship – Reynolds Lake Oconee.

McDonalds played 6-under for her first twelve holes but lost her momentum with back-to-back bogeys on the 5th and 6th holes.

“I was just thinking like I don't want to discredit my round just because I played a couple bad holes towards the end of the day. I put myself in a great position to hit some really good shots and it was really solid for I guess would've been 13 holes. Just the last two of the last five were just kind of few bad swings. I'm still striking the ball great and I'm looking forward to the next two days.”

Her 134 is her lowest 36-hole score since a 133 at the 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open and she is leading after 36 holes for the first time in her career.

“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, is to put yourself in contention as much as we can. The next two days I'm just going to try to execute my game plan, stick to one shot at a time. If I find myself getting ahead, I need to regroup, back off, and be right in the moment, be present, and try to execute the shot I have.”

One shot back at 9-under are rookie Bianca Pagdanganan and five-time winner and overnight leader Danielle Kang.

Pagdanganan fired a second-round 67 to earn a career-best 36 hole score of 135 on Friday.

Ariya Jutanugarn opened with a bogey and double bogey but recovered with four birdies and an eagle on the the second hole for a 69 and a fourth place at 8-under.

“I hit pretty good tee shot and I have like 195 and it's like downwind, so I hit 6-iron and I have 20 feet and make the putt,” she said of the eagle. “On that hole I feel like I have good commitment with every shot I hit.”

Carlota Ciganda and Katherine Kirk shot the low rounds of the day with second-round 65s. 

“Pretty much everything [was working]," said Ciganda. "I think the putting was key, making a few more putts. I hit both par-5s in two, so that was a two-putt birdie an of par-5s. But then I made a couple good putts. I mean, I still hit it close to like four, five feet, but then I made a nice 20-footer on 6.” 

Ciganda fired six consecutive birdies on the front nine and finished in a tie for seventh, jumping 57 shots from the previous day.

Kirk made seven birdies and a single bogey and moved into a tie for fifth place.

“I felt comfortable from the get-go. I felt comfortable yesterday, to be honest, as well. I only made two birdies all day which was unusual for me because I usually make a lot and throw in a few mistakes, too,” said Kirk. “Just nice to get off to that good start and keep it rolling. There is plenty of chances out there. It's just a matter of staying patient and attacking pins that are more accessible, which I did pretty well.”