Women’s US Open champion Brittany Lang posted a seven-under-par 65 to move into a one-shot lead over Alison Lee after the second round of the KEB Hana Bank Championship in South Korea yesterday.
Cristie Kerr and Park Sung-hyun matched Lang’s 65 to move into joint third, three strokes off the pace on seven-under.
After a poor opening round of 75, world No. 1 Lydia Ko got back to level after shooting three-under. Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, hot on Ko’s heels in the LPGA points race, struggled again at the SKY 72 Golf Club, posting a second straight 73.
Photo: AFP
The US’ Lang trailed compatriot Lee by four after the opening round of the LPGA/KLPGA cosanctioned tournament in Incheon, but a flawless round of five birdies and a chip-in eagle two at the 251 yard, par-four 15th saw her claw back the deficit.
Lee fired back with a chip-in eagle at the same hole to retake the lead, but finished with a bogey.
Park, the No. 1 South Korea-based player, could have gone even lower than 65, but her nine birdies were offset by a couple of untidy bogeys at the eighth and 11th holes.
Kaohsiung-born Candie Kung was in a share of 13th after a 70 matched her effort on Thursday.
Taiwan’s Min Lee was on 151 overall after a 71, nine shots better than her first-round score, while amateur Hou Yu-sang was three shots further back after a 75.
Additional reporting by staff writer
SAFEWAY OPEN
AFP, LOS ANGELES
Scott Piercy launched the USPGA Tour’s 2016-2017 season with a bang on Thursday, firing a 10-under-par 62 to take a two-shot lead early in the first round of the Safeway Open.
Piercy rolled in 12 birdies with two bogeys en route to a course record at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California.
“Oh man, I think I made more feet of putts than I did all last season,” Piercy said. “We’ve been working on the putter a lot and trying to get some things figured out. Today was a good start off to the season, a good start to give me some confidence with the putter.”
He had a two-shot lead over England’s Paul Casey and Patton Kizzire of the US.
Taiwan’s Pan Cheng-tsung was in a share of 41st after a 70.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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