Jang one ahead in Weihai golf

South Korea's Jang Ha-na fired a five-under 67 on Saturday to take the second-round lead at the Kumho Tire Ladies Open in Shandong province, one stroke clear of playing partners Feng Shanshan (68) of China and fellow South Korean Bae Seon-woo (65).

Jang, the world No. 10 who has won twice on the US LPGA Tour this year, was at 12-under 132 in the 500,000,000 won (US$435,000) event at Weihai Point, a co-sponsored tournament between the China LPGA Tour and Ladies PGA Tour of Korea (KLPGA).

South Korean Lee Min-young (70) was in fourth at three strokes back, while compatriot Lee Jeong-eun (71) was fifth at five shots off the pace.

Playing under sunny condition with a light wind in her afternoon round, Jang, the overnight co-leader, came out firing with four birdies in the first six holes to get to 11-under.

After faltering to a double-bogey six at the 385-yard seventh hole. She then returned to form with three birdies on the back nine, including No. 11 where she sank a 35-foot putt. At the next she had a tap-in for birdie, while at the last she went from bunker to bunker before recovering to drain a four footer to save par.

"I played great. But you know, I became too aggressive at No. 7. I hit a driver instead of a fairway metal and just hit a poor drive. I lost my ball and made a double bogey," said Jang, a winner of 10 tournaments worldwide, including the 2013 Hyundai China Ladies Open.

"But I recovered well and now I have a great chance. There should be great show tomorrow. We are playing very well."

China No. 1 Feng also got off to a good start with two birdies in her first three holes, but she could only pick up two more shots at the 10th and 12th holes in her bogey-free round.

"I gave myself many, many birdie chances, but sometimes you couldn't make them roll. Today was one of those days. The last six holes I was putting for birdie but didn't make anything," lamented Feng, the world No. 12. "But I was happy that I have been bogey-free for two days.

The Guangdong native said that the rocky Weihai Point layout on Bohai Bay was less difficult without wind and she would have to be aggressive tomorrow to make birdies if she was to win the tournament in her third try. Last year she was runner-up.

Bae, one of the rising stars on the KLPGA Tour who is currently 62nd in the world, had a bogey six on the first hole. She then came on strong with six birdies and an eagle three at the 460-yard sixth hole.

"It is a great day. The key was the eagle from 12 feet. Since then it was a great flow. I have had a great year and played with Jang many times, but it is the first time with Feng. There is no fear, just fun," said the 22-year-old Seoul native.

"The winner should be the one who has the hot hand. At various times today I had the hot hand."

China's Du Mohan was the top amateur as the teenager shot a 71 to sit at four-under. Endit