Dewi Weber delivered an impressive performance at Columbia Edgewater Country Club, firing a career-low 62 to seize the halfway lead at the Portland Classic on Friday in Oregon.
Weber concluded her round with five consecutive birdies, positioning herself at an impressive 16 under par, two shots ahead of Andrea Lee, who recorded a 63, and Germany’s Polly Mack with a 67.
At just 28 years old, Weber was among three Dutch golfers who qualified for the Paris Olympics but were controversially sidelined by their national Olympic committee, which questioned their competitive potential on such a global stage.
When asked about the Olympic snub during her current tournament, Weber stated, “Not much. I’m disappointed obviously, but it’s a chapter that for me I’ve closed. If I win on Sunday, that would make a statement obviously, but it’s not as if I’m trying to play here to make a point.”
She emphasized her commitment to proving her skill on the LPGA Tour, especially after an entire year on the Epson Tour. This event marks her second LPGA start this season after an impressive first round where she tallied seven birdies in a row from the second to the eighth holes.
Reflecting on her performance, Weber noted, “I hit poorer shots that ended up in good places and I made my putts on Thursday. Today I hit good drives, hit good iron shots, and then I just finished it off with a putt. It felt easy.”
Lee, the 2022 Portland Classic champion, began her round on the back nine, scoring six consecutive birdies from holes 11 to 16 before finishing the day at 15 under, despite a bogey at the ninth.
“It’s always great to come back here,” Lee remarked, praising the course conditions. “I feel really comfortable. It just kind of feels like my home course away from home almost.”
Polly Mack, ranked No. 419 globally, started strong as the opening 18-hole leader after a 63. Her second round featured an eagle on the par-five seventh hole alongside five birdies and two bogeys.
Tied for fourth at 13 under are South Korean Jenny Shin and Australia’s Grace Kim, both of whom shot 65. Alexa Pano (64) and Emma Talley (67) are tied for sixth at 12 under.
The cut line was established at five under par, with former major champions Sei Young Kim and Stacy Lewis missing the cut after finishing four and two under, respectively.
