Denied spot in Paris by the Dutch Olympic committee, Dewi Weber leads the Portland Classic

Denied a spot in Paris because Dutch Olympic committee didn't think she was good eugh to contend, Dewi Weber shot a 10-under 62 on Friday to take second-round le in Portland Classic.

Weber qualified for Olympics under International Golf Federation standards, but was left out because of country's separate standards for all sports to meet a realistic chance of a top-eight finish.

“We’re two rounds in, so we’ll see how this all unfolds and if I can really make a statement,” Weber said. “Of course it’s in back of my mind because it’s week before Olympics. It was something that I was looking forward to. ...

"It sucks, but all we can do is like try to prove why those standards were so silly, and I really hope to do that on Sunday.”

Playing only her second LPGA Tour event of year, Weber h nine birdies in an 11-hole stretch in her afteron round at Columbia Edgewater, making seven birdies in a row on s. 5-11. She closed with a birdie on par-4 18th for a two-shot le over first-round leer Polly Mack and past champion Andrea Lee.

“Very easy, very relaxing, t really putting my pressure on myself,” Weber said. “Just like roll that ball as well as I can and see what happens.”

28-year-old former Miami player also h seven straight birdies Thursday in an opening 66. She final eight holes Thursday and first 13 Friday in 16 under — and was 16 under overall for 36 holes in pursuit of her first LPGA Tour title.

“I did a really good job both days of just going shot for shot, which I kw is such a cliche but I’ve never been able to really do that,” said Weber, who has four top-seven finishes in 11 starts this year on Epson Tour.

Mack followed her opening 63 with a 67 in afteron. 25-year-old German also is winless on LPGA Tour. She eagled par-5 seventh, and and dropped back with a bogey on par-4 15th.

“You obviously want to do well after that round, but it’s still t easiest golf course,” Macks said. “It’s still a golf course. It’s still 18 holes to get through it. I think I did pretty well.”

Lee shot 63 in morning, running off six straight birdies of her own in a back-nine burst. 25-year-old American won 2022 event for her lone LPGA Tour title.

“I love Portland, Columbia Edgewater,” Lee said. “It’s always great to come back here. I always find course conditions to be perfect. It’s a great golf course. Obviously, a lot of low scores out here, but I feel really comfortable.”

Jenny Shin (65) and Grace Kim (65) were 13 under, with Alexa Pa (64) and Emma Talley (67) ar stroke back.

Lauren Coughlin, CPKC Women’s Open winner Sunday in Calgary, Alberta, for her first LPGA Tour title, was 9 under after a 69.

With Olympics next week, one from top 30 in world ranking is in field. lone Olympian in field is iti Ashok of India. She was 7 under after a 67.

Defending champion Chanettee Wannasaen shot a 70 to get to 6 under. She won Dana Open two weeks ago in Ohio for her second LPGA Tour title.