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Pettersen in Front at Windy ANA Inspiration

By Mike Randleman

Jul 7, 2016; San Martin, CA, USA; Suzann Pettersen tees off the twelfth hole during the first round of the women's 2016 U.S. Open golf tournament at CordeValle Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; San Martin, CA, USA; Suzann Pettersen tees off the twelfth hole during the first round of the women's 2016 U.S. Open golf tournament at CordeValle Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Suzann Pettersen tops a compressed leaderboard at the wind-filled ANA Inspiration.

Through two days, no one has yet to fully separate from the pack at women’s golf’s first major of the season although going into the weekend Suzann Pettersen has a slight edge over the field.

Two-time major winner Pettersen (68-69) was at the top at seven-under-par when the horn sounded Friday evening at the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California.

Players in the morning/afternoon wave still have as much as 12 holes left in their second rounds thanks to wind delays on Thursday.

World No. 21 and established ball-striker Pettersen appeared unaffected by the conditions, carding just two bogeys through 36 holes.

Still, Pettersen may be trailing when she steps to the tee Saturday afternoon at the Dinah Shore Course.

First-round leader Karina Icher and Michelle Wie have several holes to complete in their second rounds. They join four other closest contenders in the house at six-under.

World No. 1 and defending champ Lydia Ko is in solid position. The 19-year-old was her usual efficient self carding two bogeys in 36 holes en route to a pair of 70s to and a tie for 11th.

Sister Acts

ANA Inspiration
March 31, 2017; Rancho Mirage, CA, USA; Nelly Korda hits on the eighteenth course fairway during the second round of the ANA Inspiration golf tournament at Mission Hills CC-Dinah Shore Tournament Course Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Two pairs of sisters could be duking it out for the rights to take the plunge into Poppy’s Pond Sunday evening. Rookie 18-year-old Nelly Korda (69-69) is seven-under through her last 27 holes and six-under overall.

The elder sister, 24-year-old Jessica, carded a tournament-best five-under 67 Friday to jump to three-under and a tie for 17th on the par-72, 6,763-yard track.

The daughters of ex-tennis pros Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtova appear to be pretty close.

Talking about Nelly after her round, big sis Jessica told the Golf Channel.

"I’m like, man, I wish I was as good as her. It’s so great. I know all the hard work that she has put in, too, and I’m so proud to see that it’s paying off and paying off really quickly. She’s had a stellar, stellar rookie season so far and hopefully it continues."

Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn (69-70), 22, is up one on little sis, Ariya (70-70) as each completed their second rounds.

World No. 2 Ariya came close at the ANA Inspiration last year taking fourth place and is seeking her second major. No. 57 Moriya is out for her first major but is in fine form with her seventh-straight made cut (all T16 finishes or better).

The Young Phenom

ANA Inspiration
March 30, 2017; Rancho Mirage, CA, USA; Lucy Li hits from the third course tee box during the first round of the ANA Inspiration golf tournament at Mission Hills CC-Dinah Shore Tournament Course. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

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One of the big pre-tournament stories was 14-year-old Lucy Li and her pairing with former child phenom, Michelle Wie.

In the field via a win at the previous week’s AJGA ANA Junior Inspiration, Li’s strong play has continued. She’s tied 36th at one-under-par.

Li surrendered yards off the tee to her powerful playing partner, but was 6-6 in fairways hit so far Friday and has scrambled well in the wake of hitting 15 of 26 greens when play was suspended.

Wie, now 27, is in line for her sixth top-10 and possible first win at the ANA Inspiration trailing Pettersen by one with 11 holes left in round two.

Prediction

ANA Inspiration
March 31, 2017; Rancho Mirage, CA, USA; Ariya Jutanugarn hits on the ninth course fairway during the second round of the ANA Inspiration golf tournament at Mission Hills CC-Dinah Shore Tournament Course Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s still almost anyone’s game at the ANA Inspiration (formerly known as the Kraft Nabisco Championship). Sixteen players are within three of Pettersen’s pace, a number that could grow by the start of the third round.

I envision Ariya Jutanugarn vaulting to No. 1 in the world and exorcising her demons at this event.

After a bogey-bogey-bogey finish that dropped her from first to third, Jutanugarn said in her pre-tournament press conference:

"I didn’t worry about it. I always feel like I can learn every tournament I play, even if I do really bad. I’m really lucky that last year (happened), like I’m never going to win my first tournament, I’m never going to win my first major last year and I feel really happy that happened last year."

Jutanugarn made all pars both days on No. 16-18.

How to Watch

Golf Channel will air the conclusion of round two from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST Saturday.  Coverage continues from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Next: What's on the Menu at Tuesday's Masters Champion's Dinner

Top 10 Leaderboard

1. Suzann Pettersen — 68-69, seven-under

T2. Minjee Lee — 70-78, six-under

Nelly Korda — 69-69

Inbee Park — 69-69

Cristie Kerr — 67-71

Karine Icher — 67-one-under through 11

Michelle Wie — 68-two-under through 8

T8. Moriya Jutanugarn — 69-70, five-under

So Yeon Ryu — 68-one-under through 9

Sung Hyun Park — 68-one-under through 8

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