Charley Hull is on a hot streak in her recent seven rounds of competitive golf, totaling an impressive 38 under par. Following her victory on the Ladies European Tour, she is currently leading The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican by two strokes over World No. 1 Nelly Korda. The two players faced off against each other in singles at the Solheim Cup last September, where Hull defeated Korda 6 and 4. Hull expressed her enjoyment of playing with Korda, noting her ability to make a lot of birdies. She also mentioned admiring Korda’s appearance in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Nelly Korda, a two-time winner of The Annika, shared that she may have rushed her rehab after a neck injury to return to Pelican this year. Despite this, she has performed well with back-to-back rounds of 66, putting her at 8 under. Korda feels comfortable playing close to home and is familiar with the course’s challenges and opportunities for both safe and aggressive play. Hull, on the other hand, had an eventful round on Friday, making a bet with her boyfriend to extend their European vacation for every five birdies she made. She ended up making seven birdies in the first round and five more on Friday. Despite trickier conditions, Hull’s strong ball-striking skills played to her advantage.
Alexa Pano, with a second-round 64, holds a share of third place with Jin Hee Im, Mi Hyang Lee, and Wichanee Meechai at 7 under. Pano reflected on the challenging 18th hole, noting that there’s no good miss on that hole and that water is the short option. Brittany Lincicome, competing in her final event as a full-time player, made it to the weekend after carding a 69 on Friday to reach 1 under for the tournament. Lincicome expressed relief about getting through the round, mentioning the nerves and shaky hands she experienced on the golf course.
Three players were unable to finish Round 2 due to darkness, delaying the release of third-round tee times until Saturday morning. The performances of Hull, Korda, Pano, and Lincicome have added excitement to The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, showcasing the competitive nature and skills of the players. These talented golfers continue to impress with their performances, setting the stage for an exciting tournament conclusion.
