Toledo, Ohio--- LPGA Tour rookie Kathleen Ekey shot a three-under par 68 today at Highland Meadows Golf Club.  She finds herself at five-under par after 36 holes and in the top-10 for the first time heading to weekend play.

Thursday’s 69 and today’s 68 were the first time that Kathleen has broken 70 this year.

Ms. Ekey played two years on the Symetra Tour and received her 2012 LPGA Tour Card by collecting two wins in 2011 and finishing No. 1 on that tour. 

In nine starts thus far in 2012 she has missed eight cuts. The only other time that she has played on the weekend this year she earned $3,099 for her T-60 finish at the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic in April.

Life can be pretty frustrating when you are playing golf to pay for your supper.

Kathleen grew up near Cleveland, Ohio and has several family and friends in attendance this week at the Jamie Farr.  She has good memories here.  Even though Toledo is a couple hours from her home she won a high school event at Highland Meadows in 2004.

She attended Furman University for two years before transferring to the University of Alabama where she received her degree in 2010.

Life is not all limousines and champagne on the LPGA Tour.

Adjusting to the demands of constant travel and the pressure of grinding over five foot putts just to get a pay check for the week can take a toll on any golfer. Kathleen also found herself bothered by a sore back this week.  It has restricted her swing and she has had to rely on a very strong short game to post the good scores.

Two trips to the LPGA Fitness Trailer has allowed her to at least get on the course and post scores. She is currently ranked No. 379 in the Rolex Rankings.  This has become a very big week for Kathy to earn a good check to move up the LPGA money ranking list to be able to keep her card for 2013.

Playing close to home, having friends here, and on a course that she has had some success in the past may just be a formula for success for Kathleen Ekey this week.