Kaiyuree Moodley of Johannesburg, South Africa, vaulted into the lead after firing a 4-under-par 68 in the second round to reach 4-under-par 140 for the tournament.
The 11th ANNIKA Invitational USA presented by Rolex boasts a field featuring the best female junior golfers from around the world. The 72-player field includes seven of the top-25 girls in the Rolex AJGA Rankings and two of the top 10. The champion will receive a Symetra Tour exemption into the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic in March.
Moodley, playing in her first AJGA event, entered the day three strokes off the lead after posting a first-round even-par 72. The South African wasted no time moving up the leaderboard as she fired three birdies in her first four holes and didn’t look back. Moodley added another three birdies on the back nine to finish with six on the day and 10 for the tournament. Her round was the lowest of the day in windy conditions. Moodley will enter the final round with a two-stroke lead.
Julia Gregg of Farmers Branch, Texas, sits in second at 2-under-par 142 after carding a 3-under-par 69 in the second round. The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville verbal commit has posted six birdies over the course of the tournament. Gregg, who was named to the 2017 Transamerica Scholastic Honor Roll, won the 2016 Cameron McCormick Junior All-Star. Gregg’s best 2018 finish was fifth at the Kyle Stanley Championship by Transamerica.
Annabell Fuller of London, United Kingdom; Ingrid Lindblad of Halmstad, Sweden; and Yuka Saso of Manila, Philippines, are T3 at 1-under-par 143. Fuller, the first-round leader, is playing in her first AJGA event. Lindblad, who is verbally committed to Louisiana State University, is also playing in her first AJGA event. Saso won the 2018 Thunderbird International Junior.
The final round will take place Monday, January 21, on Nos. 1 and 10 from 8:15 a.m. to 10:05 a.m.