LPGA monitoring health issues after 10 players withdraw from Mizuho Americas Open

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — LPGA officials are concerned about health issues at the Mizuho Americas Open after 10 players withdrew from the event over the past two days, including seven with various illnesses.

The LPGA issued a statement late in the second round Friday, saying they will continue to monitor the situation at Liberty National.

The run of withdrawals was highlighted in the first round when defending champion Rose Zhang dropped out after three holes because of an intestinal issue.

Two of the players near the top of the leaderboard got in as alternates on Thursday because Maja Stark of Sweden and Caroline Masson of Germany withdrew because of illness.

So Mi Lee of South Korea replaced Stark and Mao Saigo of Japan got Masson’s spot. Lee is in second place, two shots behind halfway leader Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand. Saigo is three shots back.