Image Credit: LPGA/Getty
Maineville, Ohio — The Kroger Queen City Championship has turned into the kind of weekend golf theater every fan craves: a bunched leaderboard, fearless shot-making, and a handful of players ready to chase down a title.
Chanettee Wannasaen has the 36-hole lead, but the margin is razor-thin. The 20-year-old Thai star followed her record-tying 63 with another sparkling round on Friday, highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 13th. It was déjà vu for Wannasaen, who jarred her second shot in almost the exact same fashion as the day before. She admitted she didn’t even see it fall this time — only the roar of the gallery and the gestures of her playing partners confirmed the moment.
“I did it again,” Wannasaen laughed. “I was just enjoying myself. After the AIG, I wasn’t really happy with my golf, even thought of going home to Thailand. But this week I just feel like I can smile and play again”wannasaen.
The return of her joy is showing up on the scorecard. Through 36 holes, Wannasaen has been loose, aggressive, and — by her own admission — a little lucky. But at 36-hole leads, luck usually finds those hitting the most confident swings.
Jeeno Thitikul: Freewheeling 64
The round of the day belonged to Jeeno Thitikul, who carded a bogey-free 64 despite wrestling with her driver. “I wasn’t confident with the tee shot,” she confessed. “But maybe because you’re not expecting things, you just play more free”thitikul.
Thitikul leaned on her 3-wood, found 13 of 14 fairways, and rolled in putts with authority on the back nine. Four birdies in a row — including a tap-in at 15 — pushed her into the hunt. Her swing changes are still a work in progress, but her scoring suggests the puzzle pieces are fitting.
Nelly Korda: Birdies, but Mistakes Too
The world No. 1 remains very much in the chase. Nelly Korda posted a 4-under 68, her second straight day with eight birdies. “It’s a little bit of good, a little bit of bad,” she said. “I just need to minimize those mistakes”korda.
Her aggressive approach is tailor-made for TPC River’s Bend. The generous fairways reward length, and Korda’s iron play gives her constant looks. If she sharpens her fundamentals — “just the basics, really,” she said — the weekend could swing in her favor.
Stoll Steady, Hull Fearless
First-round leader Gigi Stoll cooled with a 69 but stayed in the mix at 10-under. “There’s really no pressure out here. Just hit one shot at a time,” she said, noting that her putting remains her biggest confidence builderstoll.
Charley Hull, meanwhile, fired a seven-under 65, her fiery style on full display. She eagled a par-5, birdied her closing two holes, and waved off any notion of playing cautiously. “I’m just firing at the pin pretty much. I find it boring otherwise,” she shruggedhullint. Even with an ankle still sore from a torn ligament earlier in the summerhull, Hull seems determined to turn pain into fuel.
The Contenders Lining Up
Behind them, a host of challengers loom:
- Minjee Lee quietly posted a 67 and spoke of her “quiet confidence” after capturing a third career major earlier this seasonlee.
- Maja Stark is putting lights-out, just 52 putts across 36 holes, and reveling in the “crazy race” the packed leaderboard promisesstark.
- Lottie Woad, in her rookie season, continues to impress with precision off the tee — 26 of 28 fairways hit — and a rookie’s cool outlookwoad.
- Olivia Cowan surged with a bogey-free 67, fueled by four straight birdies on her front nine. She’s enjoying the week so much she even adopted a new ball-lining routine with her caddiecowan.
Each believes their style of play can unlock River’s Bend. With the greens firming and the fairways drying, Saturday could bring fireworks — or punishment for those who miss.
Leaderboard After Round 2
| Position | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chanettee Wannasaen | -14 |
| T2 | Jeeno Thitikul | -13 |
| T2 | Nelly Korda | -13 |
| T4 | Gigi Stoll | -10 |
| T4 | Charley Hull | -10 |
| 6 | Minjee Lee | -9 |
| 7 | Maja Stark | -8 |
| 8 | Lottie Woad | -7 |
| 9 | Olivia Cowan | -6 |
| 10 | [Other contenders] | -6 |
The Weekend Outlook
The script is set: a rising Thai talent embracing joy again, a pair of major winners stalking, a stylish rookie steady under pressure, and a fearless Englishwoman playing through pain.
Wannasaen insists she won’t scoreboard-watch. “I just want to enjoy golf again,” she said. But the chasers aren’t here for joy alone — they’re here to win. Saturday at River’s Bend will be about nerves, patience, and who takes dead aim when the moment demands it.
Disclaimer: This article is a journalistic sports recap for FairwayQueens.com. All player quotes sourced from official post-round media sessions (ASAP Sports). Scores and standings accurate as of the conclusion of Round 2.
