Despite day-long shifts in the leaderboard, one player remains on top of the Great Lakes Championship at the Highlands presented by Johnnie Walker leaderboard. Epson Tour rookie Laney Frye held onto her lead thanks to a 2-under second round.
Saturday’s Moving Day consisted of five birdies and three bogeys for the Kentucky native, pushing her tournament total to 8-under. After 36 holes of competition, she holds just a one-shot lead over the rest of the field.
“I feel like I left so many out there,” said Frye. “So I’m excited for tomorrow and a chance to go make some more.”
For the first time in her Epson Tour career, Frye holds a 36-hole lead, and the 22-year-old is hopeful to take home her first Epson Tour trophy on Sunday. While it’s been on her mind for the last 48 hours, the thought of winning will take some time to really sink in. Regardless of the outcome, Frye is looking to do her best and what feels right in the moment.
“I’ll probably do some processing tonight and try and come out here and do my best,” said Frye. “But I know I’m where I’m supposed to be, and whatever happens, it’s all meant to work out exactly as it does.”
Making up the final pairing with Frye is Epson Tour winner Isi Gabsa. The German carded a 4-under 68 on Moving Day, moving up just a few spots from T5 to solo second place. Gabsa’s round was bogey-free, rolling in three birdies on her front nine, the course’s back.
“Everything was very, very consistent,” said Gabsa. “I had a lot of birdie chances on the front nine and just kept on going and going and hit it good, putted it good.”
The 30-year-old is looking to pick up her second career Epson Tour win on Sunday, just one week after her birthday, and with her mom on the bag. After a 30th birthday celebration in Italy, consisting of croissants and espressos, Gabsa could keep the celebrations rolling with a trophy and a $37,500 winner’s check.
Riley Smyth and Julia Gregg round out the top three, sitting in a share of third at 6-under. The final round will begin at 7:30 a.m. local time, with Smyth and Gregg teeing off at 12:30 p.m., just 10 minutes before Gabsa and Frye at 12:40. 10 athletes are within three shots of the lead, making for an interesting Championship Sunday.
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