Rookie leads Coates Championship

Rookie Ha Nah Jiang opened a four shot lead in the LPGA Coates Golf Championship after shooting a seven-under 65 in Friday’s second round.
The fall of darkness brought a premature end to play in the second round of the tour opener, meaning that Jiang’s score was at least four lower than any other play to finish the round.
Jiang, 22, carded just one bogey and eight birdies to set up what could be a fairytale start to her LPGA career.
“I think today my second shots were better. Very nice iron shots today,” Jang told the LPGA Tour website.
Asked if she felt like a rookie at her age, the Korean said; “No, I don’t think so. I’m too old.”
“I hope to play well these next two days so people get to know who I am.”
American Stacey Lewis also managed to finish before the round was brought to a halt. She carded a two-under 70 to go to eight-under.
Lewis shot 66 in Thursday’s opening round, but carded only four birdies and two bogeys in the second. She was still happy with her performance.
“We shot some 66s yesterday and I think that’s a great score on this golf course. The greens are just so tricky, there’s not a lot of hole locations on a couple of the greens, you have to hit it to the right spot,” Lewis said.
“You can make some bogeys and worse pretty quick. It’s (about) just staying patient.”
Four players are one shot back on seven-under. However, Lydia Ko and Azahara Munoz are the only two who finished the round.
Ko and Munoz shot 69 and 71, and are tied for third with Angela Stanford and Austin Ernst.
Play will resume on Friday afternoon.
Latest
-
News
‘My best is ahead of me’ – Justin Rose motivated by winning majors, not rankings
The Englishman endured a first winless season since 2009 in 2020 and starts this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic ranked 38th in the world.
-
News
Justin Rose concerned about his chances of defending his Olympic title
Rose won gold in Rio in 2016 but the former world number one is currently outside the qualifying places.
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.