Dewi Weber leads the Portland Classic after losing the Olympics ‘stupidity’

PORTLAND, Ore.

Weber qualified for the Olympics under the standards of the International Golf Federation but was left out due to different national standards for all sports to meet a realistic chance of finishing eighth.

“We’re two rounds in, so we’ll see how this all goes and if I can make a statement,” Weber said. “It’s definitely on my mind because it’s a week before the Olympics. It was something I was looking forward to.”

He added: “It’s sad, but all we can do is try to prove why those standards were stupid, and I hope to do that on Sunday.”

Playing his second LPGA Tour event of the year, Weber had nine birdies on the 11th hole in his afternoon round at Columbia Edgewater, making seven consecutive birdies on Nos. 5-11. She closed with a birdie on the par-4 18th for a two-shot lead over first-round leader Polly Mack and defending champion Andrea Lee.

“It’s very easy, very relaxing, I don’t put pressure on myself,” Weber said. “Like roll that ball as hard as I can and see what happens.”

The 28-year-old from Miami also had seven straight birdies Thursday for an opening 66. He had the final eight holes Thursday and Friday’s first 13 at 16 under — and he was 16 under in 36 holes chasing his first LPGA tour. the subject.

“I did a really good job on both days of shooting, which I know is a tough situation but I’ve never been able to do that,” said Weber, who has four out of seven out of eleven. annually on the Epson Tour.

Mack followed his opening 63 with a 67 in the afternoon. The 25-year-old German is also winless on the LPGA Tour. He eagled the par-5 seventh and went down with a bogey on the par-4 15th.

“Obviously you want to do well after that round, but it’s still not an easy golf course,” Macks said. “It’s still a golf course. There’s still 18 holes to go. I think I did pretty well.”

Lee shot a 63 in the morning, reeling off six straight birdies on the back-9. The 25-year-old American won the 2022 event for his only LPGA Tour title.

“I love Portland, Columbia Edgewater,” Lee said. “It’s always nice to come back here. I always find the course conditions to be good. It’s a great golf course. Obviously, a lot of low scores here, but I feel really comfortable.”

Jenny Shin (65) and Grace Kim (65) were under 13, while Alexa Pano (64) and Emma Talley (67) went back.

Lauren Coughlin, who won the CPKC Women’s Open Sunday in Calgary, Alberta, for her first LPGA Tour title, was 9-under after a 69.

With the Olympics next week, no one from the world’s top 30 is on the field. The lone Olympian in this category is India’s Aditi Ashok. He was 7-under 67.

Defending champion Chanettee Wannasaen shot a 70 to move to 6 under. He won the Dana Open two weeks ago in Ohio for his second LPGA Tour title.