England’s Charley Hull leads The ANNIKA by two pictures from world No 1 Nelly Korda on the midway stage, establishing a possible blockbuster showdown for the title over the weekend.
Hull, who clinched her seventh profession win with victory on the Girls European Tour’s Aramco Staff Collection – Riyadh earlier this month, carded a four-under 66 in her second spherical to maneuver to 10 underneath.
The 28-year-old birdied two, 4, 10, 13 and 14 round a sole bogey at 5 as she continued her push for a 3rd trophy on the LPGA Tour and first for the reason that Volunteers of America Basic in 2022.
Korda, thumped 6&4 by Hull in September’s Solheim Cup singles, is taking part in for the primary time in seven weeks after a neck damage and effectively positioned in her bid for a seventh victory of a dramatic 2024 season.
On taking part in alongside Hull in spherical three, the American mentioned: “She’s always a fun time. Hopefully we give a good show.”
Hull added: “I like playing with Nelly. She makes loads of birdies so it’s good fun to watch. It’s really cool.”
Korda second as she eyes seventh win of 2024
Korda matched Hull’s 66 on Friday, rebounding from bogeying her opening gap by recording back-to-back birdies on her fourth and fifth holes earlier than one other achieve on the eighth.
The 26-year-old then reeled off eight pars on the trot earlier than shifting into second spot on eight underneath with consecutive birdies on the finish of her spherical.
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Korda gained six instances in seven begins between January and Could, together with a record-equalling 5 LPGA Tour triumphs in a row, however then missed three cuts in succession, together with at two majors – the US Girls’s Open and KPMG Girls’s PGA Championship.
Korda completed second on the AIG Girls’s Open after which fifth on the Kroger Queen Metropolis Championship, round claiming three factors out of 4 on the Solheim Cup as she gained every of her foursomes and fourballs matches earlier than being trounced by Hull.
Hull and Korda are forward of a four-strong group on seven-under – Alexa Pano, Jin Hee Im, Wichanee Meechai and Mi Hynag Lee – with Arpichaya Yubol outright seventh on six underneath, 4 strokes off Hull.
Watch day three of The ANNIKA, dwell on Sky Sports activities Golf from 7.30pm on Saturday. Closing-round protection is then on the identical channel from 7pm on Sunday. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with NOW.
