Who led after the second round of the 2026 FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship?
MARSHALL – Scores continued to impress as it took double digits under par to take the lead at the 2026 FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship at The Medalist in Marshall on Saturday, June 13.
Lauryn Nguyen holed seven birdies on the day to move up the leaderboard and gain the 36-hole lead heading into Championship Sunday. With a 10-under par 134 for the first two rounds, the Epson Tour rookie had a strong start to round two with a birdie opening hole at No. 10.
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After making the turn, Nguyen submitted a clean scorecard for the remainder of the day, finding four birdies to sign for a 6-under 66, holding a one-shot lead. For the first time in her rookie season, the Northwestern University alumna will be playing in the final group as she competes for the chance to earn her first Epson Tour victory.
First-round leader Xiaowen Yin carded an impressive 3-under par round on Saturday. The 21-year-old has had more lows than highs in the past year, but the 2022 FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship winner is finding her form again, ironically in a familiar area, but this year at a new venue. Yin still holds the title of being the youngest professional to hoist a trophy on the Epson Tour, with her win at the 2022 FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship.
Epson Tour rookie Kaleiya Romero started her second round off with two birdies in her first five holes, coming off her made cut at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally. The current No. 15 in the Race for the Card leaderboard signed for a bogey-free round of 67 to round out the podium. Jenny Coleman had a strong day on the links making six birdies and one bogey, ultimately signing for a 5-under, 67, to sit in solo fourth heading into the final round as she looks for her second Epson Tour victory.
The cut was made at 1-over par with the top 60 and ties preparing for the final round. The leaderboard remains packed, with three players at 6-under tied in the top five, promising a dramatic final round for the title, $200,000 purse, Pure Michigan Cup points and crucial Race to the Card points toward LPGA dreams. The final round begins at 9 a.m. with a split tee format.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Leaders of FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship after second round
