Defending champion Lorena Ochoa shot a five-under 67 to vault into the lead after the second round of the US$1 million Samsung LPGA World Championship on Friday.
Ochoa, who started the day one stroke behind the leaders, almost had the lead on Thursday except for a stumble on the 18th hole where she made a double bogey.
At the halfway point she topped the leaderboard at nine-under 135, one stroke ahead of first-round leaders Paula Creamer and Angela Park. Angela Stanford is also one shot behind Ochoa.
Mexico's Ochoa had a bogey-free round, shooting 34 on the front nine and 33 on the back.
Ochoa dominated the par-fives at Bighorn Golf Club, with birdies at the par-five third, seventh, 12th and 15th.
"I think that's the key in this golf course," she said. "I was very happy to do that. I am able to reach two for sure -- maybe three of them in two. That makes a big difference."
"I putted twice for eagle. It's important to do that. I'm going to try to do the same with my tee shot and give myself a chance," she said
Both Park and Ochoa birdied 15, but then the Brazilian-born Park made bogey two holes later to fall behind.
Creamer led after 14 holes but couldn't keep up, stringing together four straight pars beginning at 15.
Michelle Wie, with her dad back on the bag as caddie, couldn't keep up for the second day in a row.
Wie was in last place in the 20-player field after shooting another 79. She marked her 18th birthday on Thursday by shooting the same score.
Wie, whose forgettable season has seen her hindered by a wrist injury, is one of just three golfers over par in the event.
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