Kim sets up to retain Kumho Tire Ladies Open crown

Kim Hyo-joo demonstrated why she is ranked No. 4 in the world on Saturday as the South Korean teenager fired a bogey-free six-under 66 to take a three-shot lead through two rounds of the Kumho Tire Ladies Open in Shandong province.

The US LPGA rookie, the tournament's defending champion, was at 10-under 134 in the China LPGA Tour-LPGA Tour of South Korea (KLPGA) co-sponsored event at Weihai Point Golf Resort.

South Korean players dominated the leaderboard as Ji Han-sol (69) was alone in second, followed by Jang Ha-na (66), the 2013 Hyundai China Ladies Open winner who was third at four shots back. Jang So-young (66) and Hwang Jiae (69) were equal fourth at five shots off the pace.

Feng Shanshan was the top Chinese player as the world No. 6 struggled to a one-over 73 to sit eight shots off the lead.

Overnight leader Park Se-yeong ballooned to a 75 to fall to six shots off the lead.

Starting in the early morning on the Weihai Point back nine, Kim birdied the 370-yard 11th hole and then picked up another stroke at the par-four 18th hole to make the turn at 34. Her round really picked up at the fourth hole where she sank a 25-foot putt, marking the start of four birdies over her final six holes.

"My swing is much more consistent than yesterday and my mental game is good, too. I made a few mistakes, but I can save shots. I had a good front nine, but the back nine was better," said the 19-year-old Kim who will be in the field for next week's US Women's Open.

"I wouldn't make a special plan for the last round. No mistakes is good out there. With that in my mind, I would try to play lower and lower. I have no target score. The win is the most important. My strategy could change according to the situation."

Ji, a rookie pro from Gang Won Do, carded four birdies against a lone bogey to get in the hunt for her maiden win. Her best finish this year has been a runner-up on the KLPGA circuit.

"The score could be better with such good driving play. I just made only one mistake off the tee, but some putts didn't sink. The first day I didn't know of the golf course and felt pressure. Today, I played better with less psychological burden," said Ji who will play in the final group on Sunday.

"Both Kim Hyo-joo and Jang Ha-na are great players. I haven't played with them and I am looking forward to it and try to learn from them. I won an amateur event in China. Hopefully I am lucky enough to get my first pro win here, which is one of my goals for the rookie year."

China LPGA Tour regular Jang So-young demonstrated that she was right at home with her South Korean compatriots as the Changwon native carded six birdies before dropping her only stroke at the 17th hole to get into contention for her second pro victory.

"Overall my swing was good with the tight fairways out there," said Jang, who posted a wire-to-wire victory at last year's Beijing Challenge. "This is a KLPGA event, the competition is much stronger. I'm happy with the score I had today."

China ace Feng started her round on the back nine with a birdie on her opening hole, but could not mount a challenge after starting the day four shots off the lead. After making the turn at even par and then recording a birdie on the first hole, she proceeded to card bogeys on three of her next four holes.

"I made a nice 25-footer for a birdie at the 10th hole. I think it could be my turning point for a lower score. I was excited, but the next hole my caddie gave me a wrong yardage. I hit a bad approach shot and made a bogey, which is like a sudden braking. I lost my momentum then," said the Guangzhou native.

"I made a nice birdie at the last hole, which is a consolation for me. Maybe I was too tired. It is a hard-walking golf course." Endit