Sarah Schmelzel took advantage of some easier scoring conditions Friday morning in Singapore. And a tidy turnaround has her in the mix heading into the weekend at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.

Schmelzel, who opened with a 1-over 73, rebounded with a 5-under 67 in the second round and is now tied for fifth through 36 holes – just three back of the lead held by A Lim Kim.

“It was nice to get off early. Yesterday I went off last. So, it was tough with the conditions yesterday. Just battled wind the whole day really,’ Schmelzel explained. “Today wanted to get off to a good start, having a little bit more calm conditions for the first few holes.

“Fortunately took advantage of it. Had a few putts roll in early and was just able to keep that momentum.”

The newly-minted LPGA*USGA Girls Golf ambassador opened with a birdie on the par-4 1st before adding another on the par-3 4th and an eagle on the very next hole. She added two more birdies on her back nine before making an unfortunate bogey to end her day on the par-4 18th.

“Eighteen is a pretty tough hole. Just missed the fairway, and when you miss it right, it's just hard to get to that front right pin. Lipped-out. Lipped-out the putt for par and put a good roll on it,” she explained. “Unfortunately, it didn't go in but lots of positives to take into tomorrow.”

Schmelzel has seen enough good things over 36 holes to be excited for what’s to come in the final two rounds at Sentosa Golf Club as she chases her maiden LPGA Tour title. It’s the kind of golf course she enjoys playing – a fair challenge where good shots get rewarded.

“I hit a great shot into 4 and was able to roll one in. Got lucky with one. Hit a great drive on 5. Didn't hit the most awesomely struck second shot, and it covered the water, which was right on the green and I made a 40-footer. That's just an added bonus on the day,” Schmelzel said of her impressive back-to-back early-round effort. “But it was nice to get the momentum going at that point and be able to ride it the rest of the day.”

Despite Thursday’s over-par start, Schmelzel said she saw a ton of positives in her game in the HSBC Women’s World Championship opener. Her day was only derailed by one bad hole on the back nine.

“I faltered a little bit on the back nine but felt like I only really hit one bad shot that cost me. So, I was really, really positive after yesterday. I was positive with the work I was doing with my caddie, too,” Schmelzel said. “I think I had a couple more things go my way today and fortunately was just able to ride that momentum better instead of just kind of hiccupping on the way in.”

This week marks Schmelzel’s third start of the season. It was this week a year ago when she really got her impressive run of results going – having finished tied for eighth at last year’s HSBC Women’s World Championship before finishing runner up at the Blue Bay LPGA as part of a run of four straight top-10s.

Schmelzel would, of course, go on to be part of the winning U.S. Solheim Cup team at the end of the year after receiving a captain’s pick and, at 30, having a dream-come-true opportunity representing her country on one of golf’s grandest stages.

Schmelzel has had a fairly pedestrian start to her 2025 campaign but the veteran knew there was no point in pressing the panic button. She’s sticking to her process and excited for the opportunity ahead this weekend in Singapore – and is holding a great perspective.

She knows there is always a low point and a high point to every season and even when you’re in the low point, she explained, you’ll get on the other side eventually.

“You keep the hard work going, you stick to your process, and yeah, you might stay in that little bit of a valley for a little while, but you always come out on the other side,” Schmelzel said. “I think it's just made me a little more appreciative of wherever I am in the present and just try and work through it rather than panic and try and rush through the other side of it.”

Schmelzel is now hoping, on the other side of the weekend in Singapore, there’s a trophy in her future.

Sarah Schmelzel in the Mix Heading Into the Weekend at HSBC Womens World Championship

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