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Park hangs on to lead at Hyundai China Ladies Open

Xinhua, December 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

Park Sung-hyun maintained her two-stroke lead at the 10th Hyundai China Ladies Open here on Saturday when the South Korean fired a four-under 68 during second-round play as defending champion Kim Hyo-joo (68) followed closely behind.

   Through 36 holes at the Mission Hills Haikou Blackstone course, Park was 12-under 132 at the 550,000 US dollars championship, a co-sponsored event between the China LPGA Tour and the LPGA Tour of Korea (KLPGA).

   South Korean Jang Su-yeon (68) was alone in third place, four shots off the pace, while compatriot Chun In-gee (68), the world No. 9 and highest-ranked player in the field, was equal fourth a shot further back with Youn Sun-jeung (71), Kim Ji-yun (68) and Park Gyeol (67).

   Shi Yuting (71) and Zhang Weiwei (74) were the top Chinese players, tied for equal 18th at nine strokes back.

   After starting her afternoon round off with a bogey five at the par-four first, followed by another bogey five at the third hole, Park, ranked 33rd in the world, settled down to reel off six birdies starting from the seventh hole to hang on to her lead in pursuit of her fourth title of the year.

   "It's a bad start. I had a three-putt birdie at the first hole, but later on my touch came back and I had a better finish. The front nine was trickier than the back nine, so I just try to be conservative. After the turn I tried to be aggressive. I'll keep the same plan tomorrow," said the 22-year-old Seoul native.

   Park said tomorrow would be the first time she had played in a group with Kim since they were amateurs and she would have to be at her best against such strong competition.

   "Since the middle of the season my putting has become pretty good. I'm confident now. Tomorrow, 16-under is my target. If someone shoots lower, I can't stop her."

   World No. 10 Kim put herself in the lead temporarily with a round that featured five birdies after starting on the 10th hole in the early morning. Her lone bogey came at the 380-yard, 17th hole, her eighth hole.

   "Overall it's a good day, even though I was not so steady on the back nine where I had some disappointing holes. But I did what I should do and made pars. I didn't lose my lead and I am in a good position, which I should be happy with," said the 20-year-old Kim, a two-time winner of the Hyundai China Ladies Open.

   "At No. 17, I dropped my only shot for two days, but it happens. I drove left and into the rough. I am lucky to leave with a bogey."

   Chun, an eight-time winner around the world this year, took her hat off to playing partner Kim.

   "My swing was not so good, but I had a good score," said the reigning US Women's Open champion. "I played with Kim Hyo-joo for the last two days and she definitely was in good shape. In comparison to her, my swing and iron play are less great. I just need to keep going lower and try to put together a great score. My round is decent. Hopefully, I can have a great number in chase of her."

   China's He Muni was the top amateur as the Los Angeles-based 16-year-old fired her second consecutive round of 71 to sit 10 strokes off the lead.

   The Hyundai China Ladies Open is the final event of the 2015 China LPGA Tour season and the first event of the 2016 KLPGA Tour season.

   The Mission Hills Haikou Blackstone course is a 6,342-yard, par-72 layout designed by Schmidt-Curley.  Endi