USA extend their lead heading into the final round of the 2024 Women's PGA Cup

The firm and fast conditions of the Meadows course at Sunriver Resort were magnified today by relentless, shifting winds in the second round of the 2024 Women’s PGA Championship.

Despite the challenging conditions, USA held strong, recording a 1-over 214 team score to extend their lead over Team Canada to six with one round to play. GB&I sit in fourth with their sights set firmly on third-place, which Team Australia currently occupy.

Debutant Holly Morgan secured her contribution once again, with both herself and Marie Martindale carding a steady 4-over 75. Heather MacRae ensured a solid team total of 222 with a 1-over 72.

Morgan expressed her delight with the round two scoring and gave insight into the difficult conditions. She said: “I made a few nice birdies, especially on 3 and another two on 5 and 12. I think we’ve played well with three more consistent scores.

"It was really tough with the strong wind which kept changing in all directions. With the altitude here as well it made it really hard in terms of clubbing.

“Heather and Marie played great too and I think now going into the last round, we stand a good chance at clinching that third spot.”

USA's Joanna Coe and Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth recorded even-par rounds of 71, while Sandra Changkija, competing in her first Women’s PGA Cup, finished 1-over 72 for the three contributing scores for the U.S. Team. 

“The girls did a fantastic job of limiting their mistakes and playing really hard in tough conditions,” said PGA of America President and U.S. Team Captain John Lindert.

“Once again the team performed from top to bottom. Joanna played beautifully tee to green, so she’s playing really well, as is Stephanie, and it was great to see Sandra come back today.”

Near the midpoint of today’s round, Team Canada fell as far back as 12 strokes back, but their resilience kept them within arm’s length heading into the final round, thanks in part to Christine Wong.

Wong struggled out of the gates with two quick bogies, but found her momentum with birdies on 9, 15, 16 and 17—which included two chip-ins.

“I was able to keep the ball in play for the most part, get up and down from a few tricky spots and made some putts when it counted,” said Wong.

Her string of birdies briefly led to a one-shot lead over Coe, but her momentum was halted by a double bogey on the par-four 18th, where her tee ball caught the wind and found the water. She finished with a 1-under 70 for the round. Her spirits remain high going into tomorrow’s final round.

“Anything can happen, we started off rough today but finished strong. We’ll have a good pep talk with the team, get a good rest and make as many birdies as we can tomorrow.”

Coe, the first round individual leader, held onto her individual lead with an even-par 71 to stay at 3-under, one stroke ahead of Wong.

With three birdies on the card, it was two mental errors that led to a bogey on the second hole and a double bogey on the 12th hole; both par-fives.

Sweden (+29) sit fifth and South Africa (+49) are in sixth. The final round begins Saturday at Sunriver Resort at 18:00 GMT / 10:00 PT.

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