It’s been a long time since Megan Khang last played in the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer. It’s also been more than a moment since she topped the leaderboard on the LPGA Tour. But this week, as Khang returns to Seaview’s Bay Course for the first time since 2018, she has thrust herself into contention, giving herself a chance to return to the winner’s circle.
“I’ll admit, I haven’t been here for a hot minute,” Khang said after her round Saturday about her return to the hunt. βThe environment, the people, they are all so welcoming. It’s pretty cool out there when you have fans following you and rooting for me. Reminds me to go back to ShopRite.”
On Friday, Khang closed her opening round with five consecutive birdies to shoot a 65 and carried that momentum into a second-round 69 on Saturday. That streak of five straight birdies matched her longest streak in a single round for the 26-year-old, who was so excited by the achievement that she threw away her putt.
βI made this long shell and literally — first time I think I’ve ever dropped a rubber. I just ecstatically threw my putter to the sideline, because I wouldn’t do that on the green, and then I was like pumped,β Khang said of her birdie run on Friday. “Then I like it β the good vibes just kept on flowing.”
It’s been less than a year since the good vibes came for Khang when she picked up her long-awaited first LPGA Tour win at the CPKC Women’s Open in August. The win was one of five top 10s Khang enjoyed last year, but she has struggled to maintain the same form in 2024. Dealing with a back injury, Khang has just one top 10 so far this year at the LPGA Drive On Championship in January. But Khang has a lot more than a trophy to play for on Sunday.
With Khang’s maiden win in August 2023, she moved into the top 15 of the Rolex rankings and is in good position for a spot on Team USA to represent her country at the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
But, all that has changed.
Last week, Khang finished tied for 44th at the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club and in doing so dropped one place in the world rankings, falling from No. 15 to 16, and thus out of the US team.
This week’s ShopRite LPGA Classic is one of three events left to qualify as the squad will be bolstered after the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in two weeks. Countries with up to four players ranked in the top 15 of the Rolex Rankings can represent their country in Paris. Khang is currently the fourth-ranked American in the world behind Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu and Rose Zhang.
“It’s there in the back of my mind, but at the same time, with the same mindset as the Solheim Cup, if I play well, good things will follow,” Khang said in May of the potential to qualify for both the Olympics and at the Olympic games. US Solheim Cup Teams. “I was looking at it at the beginning of the year and I’ll probably admit I gave it a little too much attention.”
On Sunday, Khang will need to give up expectations of making her first Olympic team and the prospect of returning for her fourth Solheim Cup in order to have a chance to lift the trophy at Seaview. Further adding to the challenge, she will be looking to chase a win for the first time in her career, having held a three-way lead entering the final lap en route to victory in Canada. But Khang is excited to see what Sunday brings.
“It’s fun to always be on top, in contention, to have opportunities. Obviously the afternoon wave is probably just dying out now, so we’ll see where I end up at the end of the day.” Khang said after her morning tee time. “Other than that, I think we know we’re going to have to have a good Sunday and see where that takes us.”