BELLEAIR, Fla. – Allison Corpuz is closing out a strong rookie year on the LPGA Tour, and now the native of Hawaii has a chance to do even better at the Pelican Women’s Championship.
Corpuz made four birdies on six-holes midway through the second round Saturday and posted another 5-under 65, giving her a one-shot lead heading into the final LPGA Tour event of the year.
Behind the hull is a group of top contenders, making the one-shot lead feel even smaller.
Sweden’s Maja Stark, who starred at Oklahoma State this summer as a member of the LPGA Tour in Northern Ireland, had eight birdies at Pelican Golf Club – none on the par 5s – for a 63.
She was one shot behind Lexi Thompson (67) and Mexico’s Maria Fassi, following a career-best 62 with a hard-earned 69 to give the 24-year-old her first win and qualification for the tournament. The season-ending CME Team Tour Championship.
Corpusz, a two-time All-American and Curtis Cup player in Southern California, didn’t make bogey until her final hole on the par-3 ninth.
She was 10-under 130.
The tournament was cut to 54 holes due to heavy rain from Tropical Storm Nicole that washed out the opening round.
The Pelican Women’s Championship is the final event for the top 60 players in the CME Race to the Globe, with a $7 million purse to qualify for the finals and a record $2 million for the winner.
Facey is at No. 72 and needs a strong week to move up. Going into the final round, she was in a three-way tie for second place, which was good enough.
But many players are in competition.
Nelly Korda (66) and Carlota Siganda (68) are two shots off the lead. Into the final round, 12 players were separated by four shots.
“I think I have to play good golf tomorrow to go up. It doesn’t matter if you play in the last group or if you play a little behind,” Facey said. “If you throw a good round, that’s all I can do. I’m happy to argue. I’m happy we’re even having this conversation.”
The only loser was Lydia Ko, who played the last 11 holes in par and had to settle for a 69. That leaves her seven shots behind – 26 players ahead of her. Ko could have wrapped up the LPGA Player of the Year with a win.
Now, Corpuz will start with her first win of her rookie season.
“We’ve had a great year so far and I want to end the season on a good note,” Corpuz said. “I’m trying to position myself for tomorrow, and I’m very happy to be where I am.”
Korda and Thompson have yet to win on the LPGA Tour this year — for Thompson, the drought dates back three years. Both won on the Women’s European Tour this year in the Saudi-sponsored Aramco Team Series, Korda in Spain, Thompson in New York.
They were part of the Pelicans’ three-game winning streak a year ago, which Korda won with Bird. Now it’s a mix of major championships and rookies and it’s a race to the finish.
“Experience helps, but at the same time, golf is a crazy game. Anyone can have a day out there and bring their A-game,” Thompson said. “That’s the thing you never know about it. Every day can be different. There are so many great players here. Every time you go out, you have to play your game at a high level and make birdies and shoot low, especially if the weather is good.”
