Kathleen Ekey couldn't help but laugh when she was comparing the difference between yesterday's conditions at Drumlins Country Club and Saturday's beautiful sunny weather. She recalls having wind and rain blowing in her face as she tried to putt on Friday, so a sting of birdies on the back nine of Saturday's round two must have felt pretty darned good. What feels even better is the fact that she has the lead at the Alliance Bank Classic heading into Sunday's final round after shooting a round two 68 and finishing the day at 6 under overall.
"It's nice to put yourself into a position," says Ekey, "but here's still a lot of golf left, there's 18 holes left and you just have to take it one shot at a time and see what happens then."
The leader heading into the day, Lisa Ferrero, is still in the mix, just one stroke back of the leader after shooting a 71 on Saturday. Mo Martin and England's Jodi Ewart are tied for 3rd, two back of Ekey at 4 under.
"I really don't like leading from the front," says Ewart, "I'm kind of a come from behind girl, so I'm in the perfect position for tomorrow."
2009 Alliance Bank Golf Champion Jenny Suh is in a 3-way tie for 5th at 3 back, while the Golf Channel's 2006 Big Break Hawaii Champion Ashley Prange is in another group of three golfers at 2 under. It all makes for a very competitive final round, especially with so many golfers trying get into the top ten on the tour's money list, something that would earn them their LPGA Tour Card.
"The cards are still out there," says Prange, "there are a couple of them that are definitely still up for grabs, top 5 and top 10, I'm right there in the hunt so every shot definitely counts for me at this point. I've got to do whatever I can to grind it out, so this weekend I just have to maximize every shot."
Click on the video link for highlights and reaction from round two.
