Chanettee Wannasae closes out birdie-eagle to take lead at Dana Open

SYLVANIA, Ohio — Chanettee Wannasae closed out the LPGA Dana Open for Children on Friday with a birdie-eagle on the two par-5 holes at Highland Meadows for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead.

Wannasae made the eagle putt on the 18th hole with a 3-wood from 260 yards to 1½ feet.

“I hit a really good shot on that hole,” said Wannasae, last year’s winner of the Portland Classic. “The back nine I’m playing really good. The putter was really good on the back nine.”

The 20-year-old Thai player entered the weekend with a total of 11-under 131. Defending champion Linn Grant of Sweden was one stroke behind playing partner Xiyu “Janet” Lin of China.

Lexi Thompson crowned Lexi Thompson Day at the tournament by making the cut, shooting a 69 after a flyover and emotional opening ceremony. She has said this will be her last season playing a full schedule.

“Very honored and so awesome to see all those great fans around the first hole and then the flyover,” Thompson said. “That was unbelievable. It was pretty emotional to have to say a few words afterward.”

Grant shot 65.

“I tried to play really aggressive,” Grant said. “I felt like after yesterday I had a really good game and hit some great shots. So I felt like I could be really aggressive. Some holes didn’t really pay off, but that’s golf.”

Lin had a score of 67. She is the highest ranked player in the field at 15th place.

“I’ve been here for so many years,” Lin said. “This is one of the stops I play almost every year. Obviously very experienced. I think overall this course really suits my eyes and for me it’s all about putting.”

China’s Mary Liu was at 9 under par after a 65.

First-round leader Hye-Jin Choi followed her opening score of 64 with a 71 to finish tied for fifth at 7 under. Mao Saigo (67), Haeran Ryu (68), Paula Reto (69) and Sarah Kemp (67) were also at 7 under.

Stacy Lewis, the 39-year-old Texas native who was born in nearby Toledo, was 5 under par after a 70 as she won the last of her 13 LPGA Tour titles in 2020.