GILBERT, Ariz. - Peiyun Chien’s nickname is “Money” and it’s stamped on her leather yardage book. And money she was on Friday, shooting a bogey-free 7-under 65 to zoom up the leaderboard into first place at the inaugural Ford Championship.
Chien, however, was merely setting the table for low scores galore at Seville Golf and Country Club in this Phoenix suburb. Wide fairways are allowing players to be aggressive off the tee. Superb green conditions are leading to a lot of drained putts.
The cut came in at 5 under, which ties the lowest cut ever on the LPGA.
A few minutes after Chien left the media flash area, here came another 9-under 63, this one courtesy of local product Sarah Schmelzel, who was a member of three high school state championship teams at local powerhouse Xavier Prep. Her 63 was the first of Friday’s second round and third one of the week.
But as Lee Corso loves to say on ESPN’s GameDay: “Not so fast my friends.”
Another 63 was posted a short while later by Yuka Saso, who must like the Arizona desert, as she had an albatross in the Drive On Championship at nearby Superstition Mountain a year ago.
Here’s what else you need to know about Friday’s second round of the LPGA’s Ford Championship.
