Cassie Porter, Gemma Dryburgh Lead LPGA’s Team Event, with Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang One Back
At the 2025 Dow Championship, Cassie Porter and Gemma Dryburgh showcased their exceptional golfing skills, taking the lead in the LPGA Tour’s unique team event after an impressive opening round. The dynamic duo finished with a score of 4-under-par 66 in the challenging alternate-shot format, edging just one stroke ahead of their nearest competitors, who include some familiar faces in the world of women’s golf.
Impressive Start and Solid Teamwork
Porter made an explosive start to the round, driving the green on a reachable par 4 and chipping in for a stunning birdie. This early momentum set the tone for their game, igniting a streak of three consecutive birdies that ultimately contributed to their strong showing. Throughout the round, Porter and Dryburgh demonstrated remarkable consistency, recording six pars and only dropping one shot along the way.
The pair’s varied styles complemented each other perfectly, allowing them to play to their strengths. Dryburgh, a seasoned player from Scotland, brought her experience to the fore, while Porter, the exciting rookie from Australia, proved her mettle in the high-pressure environment of a team event. The key to their success lay in effective communication and understanding when to take risks and when to play it safe.
Challengers Close Behind
Trailing closely behind Porter and Dryburgh are the talented duo of Lexi Thompson and Meghan Khang, alongside fellow competitors Leona Maguire and Jennifer Kupcho, who both finished the round at 67. Thompson emphasized the importance of strategy during an alternate-shot format, focusing on patience and maintaining composure. The duo’s shared experience and complementary skills have kept them within striking distance of the lead.
Defending champions Ruoning Yin and Jeeno Thitikul have not been left out of the chase, as they sit two shots behind after concluding their round with a score of 68. With the tournament being so tightly contested, every shot counts, and there’s no room for complacency as the players gear up for the subsequent rounds.
The Transition to Fourballs
As the tournament shifts to the fourballs format on Friday, where each player will use their best score from the hole, the competition is set to intensify significantly. Teams will be strategizing meticulously for optimal scoring opportunities, looking to capitalize on each partner’s strengths. The fourballs format provides an avenue for lower scores, which could drastically change the leaderboard dynamics.
Porter and Dryburgh’s strong teamwork will be even more critical as they adapt to this new format. They aim to maintain their lead while adapting their strategy to maximize their performance. Dryburgh expressed excitement about the transition, noting the advantage of having a strong drive from Porter paired with her own accuracy, which can facilitate two scoring options for their team.
As the LPGA’s only team event progresses, many fans are excited to see how the differing partnerships play out. With skill, strategy, and mental fortitude being paramount, this thrilling championship promises to deliver an exhilarating showdown and potentially unpredictable results as competitors vie for the coveted title.
Don’t miss out on the action of the Dow Championship as it continues to unfold. Follow the tournament closely to catch every swing, putt, and moment of competitive spirit from the top female golfers in the world!
