Park Hee-young topped the leaderboard at eight-under on Friday in the suspended second round of the Kingsmill Championship.
The South Korean player, fighting a lingering wrist injury, shot a three-under 68 to take a one-stroke lead over Stacy Lewis, Brittany Lang, Lexi Thompson, Azahara Munoz and Lizette Salas.
“Today more soft fairway, everything, so it helped a lot. So more comfortable today. A lot of ice, good food, good sleep,” Park said.
Photo: AFP
The second-ranked Lewis, in position to take the top spot in the world ranking from Inbee Park, had a 65.
“Definitely have a better feeling coming off the course today,” Lewis said. “Just stayed really patient and made a few putts, and added up to a pretty good score.”
Lang finished with a 68.
“I’ve been playing really well and working really hard just trying to be confident out there and committed to my shots,” Lang said.
Thompson, Munoz and Salas were unable to finish the round because of darkness after the start of play was delayed three-and-a-half hours because of overnight rain. Thompson, the Kraft Nabisco winner, and Munoz had five holes left, and Salas had seven remaining.
Coming off a victory two weeks ago in the North Texas LPGA Shootout, Lewis would jump to No. 1 with a victory or a solo second-place finish, as long as third-ranked Lydia Ko does not win. Ko, 2 under with six holes left in the round, needs a victory to move to No. 1. Inbee Park is skipping the tournament.
“I love giving myself a chance to win,” Lewis said. “I’m right where I need to be. I just got to keep staying patient and get a few putts to fall.”
Defending champion Cristie Kerr was tied for 12th at four-under after a 71. She also won the Michelob Ultra at the course in 2005 and 2009.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng was also at four-under after shooting a first-round 68 and a 70 in the second round, while Kaohsiung native Candie Kung was at even-par after the first round.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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