Danielle Kang rode a hot customized putter to the 36-hole lead in the HSBC Women’s World Championship. Six-time winner, Kang hit 14 fairways and 16 holes and made 25 putts in a round 63 which brought her to 10-under 134 for tournament play. This is the first time she has topped the board at half-time since last season’s Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.
Kang stated that she presented an idea to Scotty Cameron, a well-known club designer, and watched as the idea was realized.
Kang said that it took Kang days to create these molds. “And then, I was there for seven hours, grinding, buffering, and lie lofting. It was amazing to see. It is a wonderful putter. People keep asking me about it, and he stamped “DK Special” on the bottom.
Kang’s bogey free 63 at Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong Course tied her career-low round in the LPGA. She has posted it five times. She leads by one stroke over three players in Singapore, Hyo Joo Kim (ex-HSBC champion), Allisen Corpuz, and Elizabeth Szokol.
Kang said, “My putter was really hot for quite a while.” “So thank you Mr. Scotty. It’s working.”
In Singapore, the rain delay lasted for more than three hours during the second round. Kang stated that she spent a lot of her time meditation.
She said, “I close my eyes and try to listen to all of the noise.” “I try to see things that I didn’t know.” It’s almost like the five senses.
Rest of the time was spent visiting with friends on tour. Kang hadn’t checked her phone in over a year since she left the hotel when she met with the press after the round.
Szokol is the first round leader and she is on a medical exemption. Although Szokol was not as sharp as the opening 64, she managed to stay in the mix for the weekend. Szokol had a herniated disc in the back that prevented her from playing for 12 weeks. She was able to play the second half last year.
“So it was really long day,” Szokol, who played college-golf at Northwestern and Virginia, said. “So happy with how I fought today.”
Nelly Korda, United States poses for a photograph at the unveiling the HSBC Women’s World Championship 15th Anniversary Necklace at Como Dempsey in Singapore on February 28, 2023. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images).
Jin Young Ko, the defending champion, posted a 65 Friday and is now three shots behind. World No. 2 Nelly Korda is now at No.2 after registering her second consecutive 68. Ko stated that her calm personality makes her shine even in difficult conditions.
Korda worked out in the gym during the long delay.
She said that patience is the best thing about golf. I feel like you can withstand different kinds of weather. You can just keep repeating to yourself that golf is your passion and that you enjoy what you do.
“These long days can be hard and many people don’t realize it. Viewers don’t know much about our day like this. It’s hard to believe that I spent 12 hours with my caddie today. Many people don’t see this side of our lives.
