'Ping-Pals' Kupcho, Ewing power through moving day for solo lead
By Annie Watson
MIDLAND, Mich. – Coming fresh off two top-10 starts in the past three weeks, Ally Ewing’s game has never looked stronger, as she and her partner Jennifer Kupcho shot a 67 in Saturday’s alternate shot format at Midland Country Club.
Ewing has won in team events before at the 2021 Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play in Vegas, so she knows how to carry her team from a lead to a win. Now that she and Kupcho are back in Michigan for the second time in three weeks, having the lead all to themselves is only elevating their confidence with each round.
“To come to Midland and be able to play alternate shot, best ball format on a fun golf course where you can make a lot of birdies, we feel confident in our games,” Ewing said. “We'll keep the same game plan and try to have fun out there.”
Kupcho has been on this side of history before. She and Lizette Salas led by four strokes heading into the final round of the 2022 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, and the Americans walked away from the 18th green in the final round as champions.
Now that Kupcho is teamed up with Ewing, the key word in shooting low together is trust.
“I know we both do the numbers in the fairways, so we try to stay in it. Even though we're not hitting the shot, kind of envisioning what we would do,” Kupcho said.
“It’s just a patience game with the alternate shot. We lean on each other, we just trust each other’s game,” said Ewing.
Ewing’s first shot on 18 landed in the right spot for Kupcho to flip the script and capitalize with the putter, sinking in a birdie to end a round where she struggled before.
“I think [that birdie] just gives us confidence, especially for me making that last putt,” she said. “I've been struggling all week, especially with putting. To see one go in is really good to carry into tomorrow.
With 13 groups within five shots of the lead, Kupcho and Ewing recognize the target on their backs as solo leaders. “One shot lead isn't that much when it's the format of best ball tomorrow,” said Kupcho. “Like somebody can go out and shoot 11-under. It's just going out and focusing on our own game tomorrow.”
