Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, the world No. 1, moved into the top 10 after a six-under-par 66 in the second round of the Women’s British Open on Friday, as she sought to become the tournament’s first back-to-back winner since it became an LPGA major in 2001.
The 22-year-old holed six birdies on the Canoustie Golf Links, adding an eagle at the 14th hole, which she bogeyed in the opening round, to card a total of seven-under 137.
She is four strokes behind solo leader Caroline Masson of Germany, who rose to the top on 11-under 133.
Photo: AFP
“I went out feeling very confident and comfortable,” said Tseng, the winner from Royal Birkdale last year. “But I’m hoping there is going to be lots of wind and rain at the weekend. That’s what we expect at a British Open.”
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Amy Hung, who entered Friday at three-under, holed an even-par, while compatriot Candie Kung shot finished the day at one-over to make to the cut.
Masson finished one ahead of two South Koreans — first-round leader, Lee Meena (69), and Park Inbee (64), while Pak Se-ri was in the next group on eight-under.
Masson started out as a tennis player, but switched to golf and is one of a group of rising German golf stars. In fact, she has the same coach, Gunther Kessler, as Martin Kaymer.
Park and Pak have a lot in common and the two former US Open champions shot matching second round scores of 64 and set their sights on another major title. Park had nine birdies, while Pak had a flawless eight birdie round.
It was Pak who sparked a revolution in South Korean women’s golf. She won two majors — the LPGA Championship and the US Women’s Open — and another two titles in a sensational rookie season in 1998 and it was her success that led to so many of her fellow-country women following in her footsteps.
Park was only nine years old in 1998, but she watched Pak win on TV and it led to her moving to the US to pursue a dream of becoming a professional. Ten years later, and she lifted the US Women’s Open title at Interlachen in Minnesota.
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