American Michelle Wie fired a five-under 68 on Friday to seize the second-round lead in the LPGA Tres Marias Championship as Lorena Ochoa faltered in her farewell event.
Wie had a 36-hole total of 134, one shot in front of Japan’s Ai Miyazato and American Brittany Lincicome.
Overnight leader Miyazato carded a 72, while Lincicome notched a 67.
PHOTO: EPA
South Korea’s Na Yeon-choi was alone in fourth after a 68 for 137, and compatriot Jee Young-lee was a further shot back after a 67 for 138.
Then came a group on 139 that included world No. 1 Ochoa, who settled for a 73.
Taiwan’s Amy Hung shot a one-over 74 and was eight shots further back on 147, while compatriot Candie Kung carded a 76, just making the cut on 148.
The Mexican star, winner of 27 titles and the LPGA’s world No. 1 for three years, said she was retiring after this tournament to focus on family and her charity work.
Ochoa said gusts of emotion were as tough to deal with as the blustery wind.
“I’ll take it I guess with these conditions,” she said of her 73. “With all the emotions I am going through and the adrenaline, it has been a little bit tough.
“I try not to think [about the retirement], but of course it is in my head,” she said. “Today, when I was struggling a little bit more, I was more frustrated than usual, but you try to smile. [I am] trying to keep myself together and focus on the tournament is difficult.”
Wie, whose only prior LPGA Tour title came at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara, birdied seven of the first 12 holes despite the afternoon wind that made for tough scoring conditions.
Wie made a spectacular birdie on 16, where she belted a downwind drive, but then hit an eight-iron from 165 yards over the green into gravel.
Brasil Cup
The LPGA is returning to Rio de Janeiro this month to play a two-day exhibition event, which the women’s golf body hopes will become a full-fledged event next season.
The LPGA is staging a 36-hole tournament called the HSBC Brasil Cup 2010 on May 29 to May 30 at the Itanhanga Golf Club, LPGA spokesman David Higdon told reporters.
“This is the next step in our plan to turn this into a full-fledged tournament in Brazil,” Higdon said. “Brazil is a high priority for us, particularly with the 2016 Olympics in Rio.”
The LPGA was expected to officially announce details of the tournament later Friday
Additional reporting by staff writer
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