South Korean veteran Lee Jeong-eun5 fired a 5-under 67 in the second round of The Standard Portland Classic to take a one-shot solo lead at 12-under-par 132. The 37-year-old’s spectacular five consecutive birdies highlighted her round, moving her ahead of Grace Kim (Australia) and Guylin Gaur (USA) who sit tied for second at 11-under-par. With a total purse of $2 million and $300,000 going to the winner, Lee seeks her first LPGA Tour victory after nearly a decade on tour. The cut line was set at 2-under-par, creating intense competition throughout the field.

Veteran Lee Jeong-eun5 delivered a stunning performance in the second round at Columbia Edgewater Country Club on August 16, 2025. Starting from the 1st hole, the 37-year-old South Korean made pars on her first four holes before igniting a spectacular run. Beginning at the par-5 5th hole, Lee rattled off five consecutive birdies through the par-4 9th hole, electrifying the gallery and establishing commanding momentum.

Lee added another birdie at the par-5 12th hole but stumbled with her only bogey of the day at the par-3 13th. Her final tally of 6 birdies and 1 bogey resulted in a 5-under 67, bringing her 36-hole total to 12-under-par 132. This one-shot advantage over Grace Kim (Australia) and Guylin Gaur (USA) positions her perfectly for a weekend charge toward her elusive first LPGA Tour victory.

Lee Jeong-eun5 has been a consistent presence on the LPGA Tour since 2015, earning steady results throughout her nearly decade-long career. Born in 1988, the 37-year-old Korean veteran has shown remarkable longevity but remains in search of her breakthrough victory. Her best LPGA result came at this very tournament – a runner-up finish at the 2021 Portland Classic, which also marked her last top-10 finish until this week.

The significance of Lee’s current position cannot be overstated. After struggling through the early 2020s with limited success, this solo lead represents a golden opportunity to finally claim her first LPGA Tour title. Post-round, Lee expressed her confidence: “I’ve had great energy over the past two rounds, and both my shots and putting have been solid. I want to stay focused through the finish and hope this tournament ends well.”

36-hole Cut Line: 2-under-par 142

The cut line for The Standard Portland Classic was established at 2-under-par, allowing the top 65 players and ties to advance to weekend play. This relatively low scoring reflected the excellent playing conditions at Columbia Edgewater Country Club and the high quality of the field. The competitive cut line eliminated several notable players and created intense pressure throughout both opening rounds.

Of the 144 players who started the tournament, 67 players qualified for the weekend rounds. The depth of quality was evident as players needed to be significantly under par just to secure weekend tee times, setting up an exciting final two rounds of championship golf.

One of the most compelling storylines of the week involved 65-year-old Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, who came tantalizingly close to making LPGA history. Inkster opened with a remarkable 3-under 69 in the first round, positioning herself to potentially become the oldest player in LPGA Tour history to make a 36-hole cut.

However, Inkster’s historic bid fell just short in the second round. After starting well, consecutive bogeys on her back nine led to a 2-over 74, leaving her at 1-under-par 143 – exactly one shot shy of the weekend cut line. The current LPGA record for oldest player to make a cut belongs to JoAnne Carner, who was 64 years and 26 days old when she made the cut at the 2004 Chick Fil-A Charity Championship.

“I frigging love JoAnne Carner,” Inkster said after her round. “Yeah, just kind of means that I have a passion for the game. I love the game. I’m really happy I played this week.” The legendary champion was using this event as preparation for next week’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open, but her performance reminded everyone that class and competitive fire are truly permanent.

Had Inkster made the cut, she would have shattered Carner’s 21-year-old record by more than a full year. While disappointed with missing the weekend by a single shot, Inkster’s attempt served as an inspiration to golfers everywhere, proving that passion for the game knows no age limits. Her first-round 69 at age 65 was a testament to her enduring skill and competitive spirit.

🎯 Key Contenders Analysis

Lee Jeong-eun5’s one-shot lead sets up a thrilling weekend battle with some of the tour’s most talented players in pursuit. Grace Kim and Guylin Gaur, sitting tied for second just one shot back, both possess the experience and game to mount serious challenges. The compact nature of the leaderboard – with multiple players within striking distance – virtually guarantees dramatic weekend action.

With the 2025 LPGA season continuing its trend of first-time winners – this being the longest stretch in tour history without a repeat winner – Lee’s quest for her breakthrough victory fits perfectly with the year’s narrative. The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to The Standard Portland Classic.

The second round of The Standard Portland Classic delivered compelling storylines, from Lee Jeong-eun5’s spectacular five-birdie run to Juli Inkster’s near-historic achievement. Lee’s one-shot lead heading into the weekend represents the culmination of years of steady improvement and positions her perfectly for a potential breakthrough victory.

The international flavor of the leaderboard, combined with the tournament’s significant prize money and historic legacy, sets up an exciting weekend of championship golf. With players from multiple countries bunched within striking distance, the final 36 holes promise to deliver drama worthy of the LPGA Tour’s oldest continuous event.

As the field heads into the weekend at Columbia Edgewater Country Club, all eyes will be on whether Lee can maintain her composure and finally claim that elusive first LPGA victory, or if one of the talented challengers can mount a weekend charge to capture the $300,000 winner’s prize and join the list of Standard Portland Classic champions.

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