LPGA Classic 2022 R1

June 10-12
Seaview, Bay Course, Galloway, New Jersey
$1,750,000
Round 2, Round 3

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Stephanie Kyriacou, playing in her first ShopRite LPGA Classic, shot a bogey-free 65 to take her first 18-hole lead on the LPGA Tour at 6-under. It was her second sub-70 round this season having played the first during the JTBC Classic.

LPGA Classic 2022 R1

It was not only the lowest opening score in the Australian's LPGA Tour career but also a career-best since her first Tour event at the 2019 ISPS Handa Vic Open.

“I just took three weeks off, so I think being able to just take some time off, work on some things, and then come out with a bit more confidence was definitely part of it. But I don't know, I just didn't really make a mistake. When I missed the green I made up and down. It was just fun to play today.”

LPGA Classic 2022 R1

Kyriacou, a two-time Ladies European Tour winner, missed the cut in her last three events and hadn’t played since the Cognizant Founders Cup. Her season-best result is a tie for 26th at the LOTTE Championship.

Sweden's Frida Kinhult lies a shot back at 5-under after closing with an eagle on the par-5 ninth.

“It was really good tee-to-green all day. Felt really good to finally drop that one on the last. I had I think three lip-outs today, so I felt good to pin with one in the middle of the hole,” said Kinhult, who hit a 3-wood about 230 yards to about 13 feet to make the eagle. “No, it's great. I played really, really solid out there. So I hit a lot of fairways and greens and managed to make a couple putts.”

LPGA Classic 2022 R1

Major champions Brooke Henderson and Jin Young Ko, as well as Marina Alex and Dottie Ardina are tied in third at 4-under. Henderson recorded her first bogey-free score since the third round of the Chevron Championship and said she feels comfortable at the Bay Course, having never missed a cut in the event in seven appearances.

“It was fun,” said Henderson. "I was just trying to make as many birdies as I could. No bogeys on card, so that's also a bonus. Hopefully tomorrow can go out and continue similar game plan, try and make some birdies, and see what happens.”

Thirteen players are tied for seventh at 3-under including major champions Cristie Kerr, Jeongeun Lee6 and Pernilla Lindberg. Defending champion Celine Boutier and 2020 winner Mel Reid are among those in a tie for 35th at 1-under.

LPGA Classic 2022 R1