ROCHESTER, New York, July 21, 2017 - Fans at Brook-Lea Country Club were treated to some spectacular golf on Friday. Erynne Lee (Silverdale, Washington) stole the show late with a 7-under, 65 to move into a share of the lead heading into the weekend at the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic with Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Copenhagen, Denmark). The two-time Epson Tour winners are 11-under, 133 through 36 holes. The second-round also included two hole-in-one’s on the 18th hole and a course record 9-under, 63 by Laura Wearn (Charlotte, N.C.).

The first-round resumed on Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. and was completed just before 10:00 a.m. The second-round began at 8:45 a.m.

The cut was made a even-par, 144 and 68 players will play over the weekend.

Lee, who won two weeks ago at the last Epson Tour event in French Lick, Indiana, was on fire on her front nine. She turned in 29, which was her lowest nine hole score of her career, and was 8-under through her first ten holes. While Lee cooled off on the back nine, she moved from a tie for fifth to the top of the leaderboard.

“From the beginning, I was hitting really good shots,” said Lee, who attempted just 26 putts and hit 13 of 14 fairways. “A lot of my birdie putts were within ten feet, nothing crazy at all. My putting was on fire so I’m really excited about the 29 on the front. I just felt like I was in the zone and I could make another birdie and another one.”

The back nine was more of a grind-it-out type nine. She made seven pars and one bogey on the 16th hole.

Lee will try to become the first player to win consecutive events since Jackie Stoelting won the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout and the IOA Golf Classic late in the 2015 season.

“My confidence is at an all-time high,” said Lee, who has finished inside the top 20 in five of the last six starts. “I’ve had the same feeling the last six weeks. I’m just trying to be committed out there and that is the key to my success.”

Following her win in French Lick, Lee moved up to No. 4 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. She was a little worried about losing momentum during the off week, but she has clearly kept her rhythm.

“In an off week, who knows what might happen, you could start tweaking with your swing, but I didn’t do any of that,” said Lee. “I took a few days off, but I just kept my routine the same. I’m really happy to see that I am progressing.”

With the first-place payout of $22,500, Lee would move near the top of the money list and would put herself in great position to wrap up a spot in the top 10.

Lee said she thinks it’ll take at minimum 17-under over the weekend to finish on top.

“Considering that after two days, the top is 10-under and 11-under and there are a lot of birdie opportunities, I think 17-under is a good number,” said Lee. “A lot of girls can go low out here.”

Koerstz Madsen didn’t have her “A” game on Friday, but still posted a 5-under, 67 to share the lead.

Nobody is more experienced in the pressure of trying to win a tournament than Koerstz Madsen, who has two victories this season.

“The few times I’ve been there, it’s not like I’m chocking or anything,” said a confident Koerstz Madsen. “I like being there. It’s not like I get nervous. I feel like I’m good being in the position where you have a chance at winning, so I like it.”

Koerstz Madsen has a chance to earn a “Battlefield Promotion” to the LPGA with a third win. She can also improve her chance of being a captain’s pick on Team Europe for this years’ Solheim Cup.

Lee, Koerstz Madsen Share Rd. 2 Lead at 11-under at Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic

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