M.J. Hur chipped in twice for birdie on Friday as she posted her second-straight 66 and seized a one-stroke lead over fellow South Korean Amy Yang in the LPGA State Farm Classic.
Hur’s 12-under total of 132 put her atop the leaderboard by one after Yang posted a 65 for 11-under 133.
American Cristie Kerr shot a 67 for 134, where she was joined by South Koreans Park In-bee (67) and Choi Na-yeon (69) and Canada’s Alena Sharp (68).
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng shot a 71 for 139, seven shots off the lead. Compatriots Candie Kung (71), Amy Hung (74) and Teresa Lu (73) all missed the cut at the halfway stage.
Hur played her round in a steady morning breeze. Yang played in the afternoon’s gusting winds, which made scoring tougher. She was one of just three players to go low in the afternoon.
“It was very tough conditions, very windy, but I just enjoyed my game. Everything was working well,” Yang said.
Hur teed off on 10 and birdied five of her first seven holes.
She dropped a shot at the par-five first, but rebounded with back-to-back birdies at six and seven.
Hur was unpredictable off the tee, but compensated with a sparkling short game.
She set the tone when she missed the green at her opening hole — then chipped in for birdie.
She did it again on the par-three 14th. She said it was the same scenario as her opening round.
Yang belted a five-iron on the par-five sixth hole and made the putt for eagle.
Yang was brimming with confidence after finishing fourth at the Sybase Match Play.
Overnight leader Feng Shanshan of China posted an even par round to fall four shots off the lead.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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