Choi Maintains Lead at Buick LPGA Shanghai Despite Tough Second Round
Hye-Jin Choi carded a 2-over 74 in the second round but still leads the Buick LPGA Shanghai at 6-under 138. Amy Yang and Grace Kim are tied for second, two strokes behind. Defending champion Jeeno Thitikul sits tied for seventh at 2-under.
Hye-Jin Choi followed an opening 64 with a 74, yet her 138 total kept her two ahead of Amy Yang and Grace Kim. Sheshan's firmer conditions limited the second round to six sub-par scores, with only nine players under par overall.
Choi owns 12 KLPGA victories and seeks her first LPGA title; this is her third 36-hole lead, after a runner-up finish at the 2025 Maybank Championship. Yang is the field's only player with two rounds below par. Kim, the 2025 Amundi Evian champion, has taken 52 putts and holed a bunker shot at No. 15.
Choi's bid for a first LPGA victory could resonate with fans in South Korea and beyond, while the difficult Sheshan setup may showcase the women's game's global depth. Strong showings by Yang, Kim, Thitikul, and Yin may draw more viewers and local interest in Shanghai, potentially benefiting tournament attendance, media coverage, and grassroots participation. The outcome could shape season narratives but is unlikely to have broad societal effects beyond sports.