SHANGHAI: Kim Sei-young fired a five-under par 67 to pull one stroke ahead of Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn after the second round of the LPGA Shanghai tournament on Friday.
First-round leader and world No.2 Ariya had two bogeys early on but improved on the back nine with three birdies to shoot a 69 and is at 9 under par heading into the third round. The runaway money leader on the LPGA tour this year with 14 top-10 finishes, she is also looking to become the only four-time winner.
A strong finish by Ariya could move her back into top spot ahead of Park Sung-hyun when the updated world rankings are announced on Monday. The Korean is currently in 24th place in Shanghai at 1 under par. That puts her a stroke behind Thai veteran Pornanong Phatlum, with whom she will be paired on Saturday.
Kim made six birdies on Friday, including four straight from the sixth hole, to move to a 10-under 134 total. Her only setback was a bogey on the par-4 15th.
Kim struggled in the first half of the year, but is finishing it strong. She won her seventh career title in July at the Thornberry Creek Classic, was tied for fourth at the Women's British Open, and last month was runner-up at the Evian Championship.
“I made huge big par putts on 10, 11, 12,” Kim said on Friday. “I’m very happy with today's play.”
Danielle Kang of the US, who shot a 68, is tied with Ariya in second place, two shots ahead of Americans Brittany Altomare and Brittany Lincicome and Bronte Law of England.
“I like attention. I like being in the final group. I like having crowds,” Kang said. “It's fun. You work hard to be in the final groups and work hard to be in the hunt and be the leader and chasing the leaders. That's why we play.”
Kang led into the last round at the Hana Bank Championship last week and finished tied for third.