Alison Lee’s Sizzling Streak Continues with Share of Lead at CME Group Tour Championship
Alison Lee has been on a red-hot streak recently, and she shows no signs of slowing down. The 28-year-old Californian golfer fired an impressive 8-under 64 in the second round of the CME Group Tour Championship to grab a share of the lead with Nasa Hataoka. Lee’s scorching performance included birdies on four of her last five holes, which propelled her into contention for the $2 million prize.
Lee’s remarkable run began in Saudi Arabia and continued through South Korea before making its way to Florida. In her previous three tournaments worldwide, she secured second-place finishes in the BMW Ladies Championship and The Annika, both held in South Korea and Florida, respectively. She also emerged victorious in an Aramco Team Series event on the Ladies European Tour. With her latest 64, Lee has now accumulated a staggering 46-under par over her last 10 rounds.
Commenting on her recent success, Lee expressed her satisfaction with how everything seems to be falling into place lately. Despite not having secured a victory in her nine-year tenure on the LPGA Tour, Lee’s momentum is undeniable. She is now tied for the lead with Hataoka at 14-under 128 in a star-studded field that features some of the best women golfers in the world.
The tournament, held at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, has seen remarkably low scoring due to the soft conditions of the course caused by the 4 inches of rain it received prior to the event. With the greens playing receptive, many players have taken advantage of the favorable scoring conditions. As a result, eight players find themselves at 10 under or better going into the weekend.
China’s Ruoning Yin, the reigning Women’s PGA champion, is among the chasing pack, sitting just one shot behind the leaders after carding a solid 66. Yin is joined by Minjee Lee, who shot a 67, and Amy Yang, who dazzled with a 63. Xiyu Lin, another golfer on the hunt for her first LPGA Tour victory like Alison Lee, is also within striking distance, trailing by just two shots.
The battle for the prestigious $2 million prize promises to be thrilling, with a high-caliber field in contention. The CME Group Tour Championship utilizes a four-day shootout format, regardless of the players’ standings in the points race. Only six players have earned $2 million or more this season, making the race for the championship even more enticing.
Reflecting on her recent improvement, Alison Lee modestly admits that she is unsure of the recipe for her success. However, she remains focused on riding the wave and continuing her impressive form. With experience as the No. 1 amateur, Lee encountered some struggles upon transitioning to the LPGA Tour, leading to a dip in her confidence. However, unexpected support from golfing legend Fred Couples has given Lee a renewed belief in her abilities, serving as her mentor and providing positive energy and confidence.
With 36 holes remaining and a tight leaderboard, the outcome of the CME Group Tour Championship is still up for grabs. Lilia Vu, the reigning double major winner and current women’s world number one, finds herself six shots off the lead but remains in the conversation. Additionally, Celine Boutier, who needs a victory to have any chance of winning the points-based LPGA Player of the Year, is nine shots behind but could potentially make a late surge.
As the tournament progresses, golf fans around the world eagerly anticipate the final two rounds and the crowning of a worthy champion. Will Alison Lee finally break through and claim her maiden LPGA Tour victory? Or will one of the other top contenders rise to the occasion and seize the $2 million prize? Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of the CME Group Tour Championship.
