Linn Grant and Grace Kim share the lead at The Annika halfway point, setting up a high-stakes LPGA weekend that’s inspiring golf fans and raising the season’s intensity.
The 2025 Annika at Pelican Golf Club is shaping up to be a classic, with Linn Grant and Grace Kim locked at nine-under-par after two rounds. Their duel at the top isn’t just a leaderboard story – it’s a collision of rising talent, championship experience, and history echoing through every shot.
The Race to the Top: How Grant and Kim Took Control
On Friday, Grant carded a dazzling seven-under 63, displaying distance, accuracy, and mental toughness as she hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation. Her round started with a bogey, but she flipped the script with three straight birdies and eight birdies in total, securing her share of the lead.
Kim was equally composed. Following a strong opening round 65, the Australian followed with a 66, minimizing mistakes and maximizing opportunities on the greens. She’s hunting for her third LPGA title after capturing her first major at the Evian Championship this summer—a sign that she’s ready for golf’s brightest stages.
- Score after two rounds: Grant 63-68, Kim 65-66 – both at 9-under 131
- Closest chasers: Jennifer Kupcho (-8), Haeran Ryu (-8)
- Other notables: Gaby Lopez (-7), Nelly Korda, Auston Kim, Lauren Coughlin, Carlota Ciganda (all -6)
The Annika’s Legacy: A Meaningful Stage for Grant
The tournament’s namesake looms large. Grant grew up idolizing Annika Sorenstam, and her rise on this stage is more than a leaderboard note. “I played in Annika’s events since I was 14, 13… she’s been a huge inspiration,” Grant said, citing Sorenstam’s consistent mentorship and her impact back in Sweden.
This connection injects meaning into Grant’s run, as she strives not just for a trophy, but for validation in the shadow of an all-time legend who showed what was possible for players from Northern Europe. Annika’s tournament is becoming a proving ground for the next generation of stars.
Grace Kim: Major Champion’s Calm and Focus
For Grace Kim, the pressure isn’t new—she’s already tasted major victory at the 2025 Evian Championship. Her post-round comments—“Just kept my mojo going… stayed in my lane”—reveal a player thriving in the spotlight, quietly building a reputation as one of the LPGA’s premier closers. Her ability to hit fairways, convert putts, and keep her composure underpins her steady ascent.
Big-Name Drama: Korda Returns, Cut-Line Surprises
Nelly Korda, the world’s No. 2, returned from a short injury hiatus with a statement round: a bogey-free 63, hitting all 14 fairways in regulation. That final stretch included a must-see birdie at 18—enough to draw a social media shoutout from NBA superstar LeBron James and spark conversation around Korda’s growing appeal across the sports world.
Korda’s strong start puts her well within striking distance as the weekend looms. Yet, this Annika is also marked by high-profile absences: notable names missing the cut include Megan Khang (+2), rising English star Lottie Woad (+3), Japan’s Yuka Saso (+3), Lexi Thompson (+5), and amateur Kai Trump (+18).
Implications for the LPGA and Fans
The shake-up at The Annika means ripple effects for the season’s closing stretch. Grant and Kim’s duel will determine season points, momentum heading into the 2026 calendar, and may serve as a preview of next year’s major duels. For fans, it’s a chance to see new rivalries take center stage against a backdrop of established greatness—fascinating both demographics newly drawn to the LPGA and golf’s diehards following every shot.
The tournament’s unique meaning for both leaders—Grant’s lifelong Sorenstam connection and Kim’s breakthrough major—raises the already sky-high stakes and injects fresh storylines heading into the weekend.
What’s Next: Weekend Wildcards and the Chase for History
- Can Grant complete her tribute to Annika’s legacy by lifting the trophy?
- Will Kim’s major-winning form hold under final-round pressure?
- Is Korda poised for a dramatic comeback, or will another chaser break from the pack?
- With legends tweeting and rising stars hunting, the energy and unpredictability around The Annika is peaking exactly where fans want it.
Stay locked on onlytrustedinfo.com for the weekend’s fastest, deepest LPGA breakdowns—where history, rivalry, and the next big moment are always one shot away.
