Suzann Pettersen shot a seven-under 65 on Friday for a share of the second-round lead with Mariajo Uribe in the Manulife LPGA Classic.
Taiwan’s former No. 1 Yani Tseng carded a 66 to tie for fourth at 11-under 133.
Pettersen had seven birdies in a 10-hole stretch at Whistle Bear Golf Club.
Photo: AFP
“If you hit all the fairways, you’re going to give yourself a lot of chances with your irons,” Pettersen said. “The par-fives are very scoreable. You just have to try and take care of business on those and if you can squeeze in a birdie or two, or three on the rest of the holes, you’re in a good position. I felt like I did that today.”
The 34-year-old Norwegian player won the last of her 14 LPGA Tour titles in 2013.
She has been bothered by a shoulder injury this season.
“I’m pretty good,” Pettersen said. “Right now, I’ve been almost pain-free for two weeks. No painkillers, nothing, and doing all my rehab. I’m good now and looking forward to a strong summer.”
Uribe, from Colombia, had five birdies in a 66 to match Pettersen at 13-under 131. She won the tour’s unofficial HSBC Brazil Cup in 2011.
“Just keep doing what I’m doing,” Uribe said. “I had a lot of fun the first two days. Usually, I don’t like courses that you have to go a lot really low, so I’m just having fun and stay patient and liking it.”
Cristie Kerr, tied for the first-round lead with Cheyenne Woods and P.K. Kongkraphan after matching the course record with a 63, was a stroke back after a 69. She won the Kia Classic in California in March for her 17th LPGA Tour title.
“I thought I played very well,” Kerr said. “I actually thought I hit it better today than I did yesterday. Had kind of a magical opening nine holes yesterday. Just got to try to play as good as I can on the weekend, just pay attention to my own game and my feels and what I’m trying to accomplish out here on every shot and try not to worry about anybody else.”
Tseng and Brittany Lang topped the group at 11 under. Lang, the 2012 winner at Grey Silo in Waterloo, shot a 68.
Taiwan’s Hsu Wei-ling and Kaohsiung-born Taiwanese-American Candie Kung both shot a 70 for four-under 140, while Taiwan’s Lee Min shot a 69 for three-under 141.
Woods had a 73 to drop into a tie for 19th at 8 under. She is Tiger Woods’ niece.
Kongkraphan also struggled, shooting a 75 to fall into a tie for 35th at 6 under.
Second-ranked Inbee Park, the winner last year at Grey Silo, had a 68 to reach seven-under.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko was five-under after a 68.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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