MIDLAND, Mich. — Cheyenne Knight and Elizabeth Szokol birdied six of the final eight holes in play on alternating strokes for an 8-under 62 and a 3-stroke lead Friday within the Dow Nice Lakes Bay Invitational, the one group occasion on the LPGA Tour.
Knight birdied a 25-footer on the par-3 18th in windy circumstances at Midland Nation Membership to interrupt the event round-robin report and 54-hole mark at 18-under 192.
“It is so superior,” Szokol mentioned. “We love this occasion. It is a lot enjoyable to have Dow do it for us. It is such a novel format, and it is the one (group) occasion we’re taking part in this yr. It is wonderful to be within the report books at this occasion.”
Matilda Castren and Kelly Tan completed second after a 68. They completed second final yr.
“We’re actually going to attempt to hang around and have enjoyable tomorrow,” Tan mentioned. “It is the perfect ball so we’ll birdie and hopefully see the place it takes us on the finish of the spherical.”
Knight received the 2019 LPGA Ascendant for his solely tour title, whereas Szokol is winless. The American duo tied for fourth final yr after lacking out on the reduce in 2021.
“We’re excellent associates, so I feel we’re very snug taking part in collectively,” Szokol mentioned. “We all know one another very effectively and I’ve a lot confidence in Cheyenne’s recreation. It makes the alternate photographs a lot simpler.”
Knight and Szokol additionally began quick with birdies on three of the opening holes. They dropped a shot on No. 8 and performed the final 9 in 6 underneath 29. They’d a 61 in play Thursday with greatest ball, additionally the ultimate spherical format on Saturday.
“We tried to not hassle with an alternate shot as a result of it is such a tough format,” Knight mentioned. “I feel we mentioned yesterday, ‘You may birdie alternate photographs.’ I feel you simply should have the mindset like you may birdie and simply attempt to be aggressive and fearless slightly than making an attempt to not make errors.”
Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Emma Talley tied for third at 13 underneath with Celine Borge and Polly Mack. Shadoff-Talley shot 70, and Borge-Mack had 68.
Stacy Lewis and Maria Fassi had been at 12 sous with Céline Boutier and Yuka Saso. Lewis-Fassi had a 66 and Boutier-Saso a 70.
Second-round leaders Paula Reto and Amelia Lewis shot a 73 a day after capturing a 61 in a greater ball recreation. They had been tied for seventh at 11 underneath with Ana Belac and Bianca Pagdanganan. Belac and Pagdanganan had a 66.
Match officers introduced on Friday that the 2024 occasion will probably be performed from June 27-30 for its first arrival on Sunday. The change from July to June was made as a result of Paris Olympics.
