Maguire six off pace in Drive On Championship title defence

Leona Maguire posted a second round 68 to sit six off the lead at the halfway point at the LPGA Drive On Championship in Arizona.

Maguire, who became the first Irish woman to win an LPGA Tour event at the Drive On Championship in 2022, hit form early on Friday, posting an outward nine of 32, with birdies on 3, 6, 7, 8.

However, she was rattled by a wretched start to the back nine, with a double-bogey on 11 and another dropped stroke on 12 which saw her tumble back to three-under overall. Maguire rallied to finish strongly a birdie on 13 and then two closing birdies on 17 and 18, though she has plenty to do to retain her title heading into the weekend.

FULL LEADERBOARD

It was a more mixed day for Stephanie Meadow, who had to settle for an even par round of 72 to remain at four-under par overall.

The Antrim woman, who carded 68 on Thursday, registered four birdies and four bogeys in her second round to lie tied-53rd.

Jointly leading the tournament on 12-under are Korea's Jenny Shin, Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn and Canada's Maddie Szeryk.

World no. 5 Jin Young Ko is three off the pace on nine-under par.