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Rookie Alison Lee tied for lead at Meijer, Q Baek one shot back

July 24, 2015

Alison Lee watches her tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the Meijer LPGA Classic golf tournament Friday, July 24, 2015, in Belmont, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

By Brian Han

If the South Koreans have any chance at taking a crack at the record for single season wins by their country this week, it’s going to have to be through Q Baek.

The South Korean rookie is looking for her second career LPGA Tour victory, and she’s one shot off the lead heading into the weekend at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The next closest South Korean competitor Ilhee Lee is at 5-under and tied for 13th.

The current win count for South Koreans is at 11 tying the record, which was set in 2006 and repeated again in 2009.

The 19-year-old had some trouble off the tee while hitting only eight of 13 fairways, but she managed to stay aggressive on the greens and proceeded to make four birdies. A single bogey gave her a 3-under 68 for Friday’s round and an 8-under total.

Another rookie is playing well this week and has found herself tied for first going into the weekend..

Korean American Alison Lee has had some brilliant rounds so far in 2015, even managing to tie course records like when she shot 63 at the Founders Cup back in March.

The question is if she can play consistently through all four rounds of a tournament.

She quickly made her way up the leaderboard by firing off five birdies on the front nine including three consecutive birdies on holes no. 7-9.

Lee also had trouble finding the fairways, but her 271-yard average driving distance and 26 putts were enough for a 5-under 66.

Her play so far puts her in the lead at 9-under alongside 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship winner Lexi Thompson and Lizette Salas. The course appears to be favoring long hitters.