October 01-04
Seaview, Bay Course, Galloway, New Jersey
$1,300,000
Round 1, Round 3, Round 4

Three-time LPGA Tour champion Nasa Hataoka launched to the top of the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer leaderboard with a second-round 67 on the Bay Course at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel. Her 36-hole score of 131 is the second lowest of her career, bested only by a 129 in the 2018 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G (which she won).

“I wasn't striking the ball as well as yesterday, but I was able to convert birdie chances where I wanted to and that was good,” said Hataoka. “Today wasn't about making long putts; it was more converting the small chances I had.”

The 21-year-old had only one blemish on the scorecard, a bogey on No. 2 following a birdie to open her round. She rebounded with four more birdies, including a three-foot putt at No. 18 after nearly chipping in from the fairway. Hataoka is looking to become the second Japanese player to win the ShopRite LPGA Classic, joining 2010 champion Ai Miyazato . She is 10-under par overall at the halfway point in Galloway, N.J.

“I looked up to her,” Hataoka said. “She was a player, I felt like, that played mostly in the U.S. instead of Japan. She obviously won here, and I feel like maybe this will be a chance for another Japanese player to win this tournament.”

Heading into the weekend, Hataoka holds a one-shot advantage over 18-hole co-leader Mi Hyang Lee, who shot a 2-under par 69 in cooler morning conditions on day two, and Mel Reid, who fired the round of the day with a bogey-free 64. 

“Actually was a little chilly this morning,” said Lee. “It was less wind as yesterday, so it was easier to get the second shot to hit the green on par-5s. It was really chilly in the morning, so my distance was a little shorter than normal. But it was all good.”

Celine Boutier and Amy Olson hold down the fort in a tie for fourth position at -9. A total of four players sit at -8 including the most recent LPGA Tour winner, Georgia Hall .

“I took that confidence from a couple weeks ago and my game is in good shape,” Hall said after a second straight 4-under 67. “I've stayed really relaxed and enjoyed it. The pins were slightly trickier today. Let's see what I can do on the weekend.”

Four individuals are four shots back at 7-under par overall. Defending champion Lexi Thompson will play the weekend to continue her ShopRite LPGA Classic defense in a tie for 36th at -3 following a 1-over 72. A total of 76 players made the cut at even. Notables to miss the weekend include past ShopRite LPGA Classic champions Brittany Lincicome and Angela Stanford , 2020 ANA Inspiration winner Mirim Lee and 20-time LPGA Tour champion Inbee Park.