Carlsbad (USA), March 24: Indian golfer Aditi Ashok carded an even par 72 to make the cut at Kia Classic here. Aditi, who had a first round 2-under 70, is now 2-under 142 for a Tied-43rd at the halfway stage. One birdie on the front nine neutralised by a bogey on the back nine meant a 72 on the day for the Bengaluru golfer.
Indian golf updates: @aditigolf is comfortably into the weekend of @LPGAKiaClassic with rounds of 70 and 72. She is T43 at 2-under par.
— Joy Chakravarty (@TheJoyofGolf) March 24, 2018
A day earlier, the Indian pro had four birdies, but uncharacteristically dropped bogeys on two par-5s for a 70. Aditi, who found 12 of the 14 fairways on the first day, dropped to just seven in 14 on second day, but she did find 14 out of 18 and 12 of out 18 greens on the two days.
The 19-year-old Aditi's problem was the greens, where she did not hole many putts, missing numerous birdie chances. Meanwhile, Cristie Kerr, winner in Kia Classic in 2015, is five shots ahead of the field through the second round.
Golf Scores Indians - @aditigolf carded even par 72, makes cut at @KiaClassic on @LPGA . Aditi (70-72) is T-43rd. Leader is Cristie Kerr @CKGolferChic at 67-64 and -13. (1/4)
— V Krishnaswamy (@Swinging_Swamy) March 24, 2018
The 40-year-old American set the 36-hole tournament scoring record (131, -13) with rounds of 67 and 64. Kerr's second round 64 (-8) was her lowest round this season and her lowest ever in this event. She is looking for her first win of the 2018 season after two wins in 2017.
Sitting in a tie for second at 8-under par are In-Kyung Kim (67-69) and Hee Young Park 66-70) of the Republic of Korea, Sweden's Caroline Hedwall (66-70) and American Lizette Salas (69-67). A total of 83 players made it into the weekend at the Kia Classic after the cut line fell at even par.