Grant, Kim Share Lead at The Annika in Belleair

BELLEAIR, Fla. — Linn Grant shot a 7-under 63 on Friday, tying for the lead with Grace Kim at The Annika. Defending champion Nelly Korda also made headlines with a spectacular 63 of her own.

Grant, a Swedish golfer who won the 2023 Dana Open, expressed satisfaction with her game. “Very, very solid. I hit some really good shots,” she said. “Tee to green today was very good. I felt like I played similar yesterday but I just couldn’t get the putts to go in, and today a lot of them went in.”

Kim recorded a 66, bringing her total to 9-under 131 at Pelican Golf Club. She celebrated her recent victory at the Evian Championship in July, which marked her first major title. “I just kind of kept my mojo going,” Kim noted. “Just hit lots of fairways and tried to make a lot of putts. It helped probably I hit a few more close today, making easier birdies. I guess, just stayed in my lane really.”

Kai Trump, the granddaughter of former President Donald Trump, is competing on a sponsor exemption. After finishing her first round with an 83, she improved with a 75 but still landed last in the 108-player field at 18-over. “For the first day I was definitely really nervous,” Trump said. “I think the nerves just got to me. When I went out there today I felt very calm and peaceful to be honest with you. That’s why I played better.”

First-round leader Haeran Ryu, who started with a 64, slipped to a tie for third with Jennifer Kupcho, both at 8 under. Gaby Lopez followed closely at 7 under after a 64.

Korda, who birdied the last three holes, expressed optimism. “I just capitalized on my good shots,” she said. “I actually didn’t play bad yesterday at all. I just went to the range after and then to the putting green and just kind of told myself that, `It’s a fresh day and you never know what’s going to happen.’ I came out and I started capitalizing a little bit more on the better shots.”

Last year’s champion, Korda, is aiming for another successful event, having made history by winning seven times in a season last year.

Auston Kim (65) joined Korda at 6 under alongside Carlota Ciganda (65) and Lauren Coughlin (66). The top 60 in the Race to CME Globe will qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship next week, where all can vie for a $2 million prize.