Consistent Kang takes lead in Korea
Danielle Kang shot her second straight round of 5-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead at the inaugural BMW Ladies Championship at LPGA International Busan in Korea on Friday.
The 27-year-old American, who won last week in Shanghai, had seven birdies and two bogeys in the second round.
“I’m hitting it well,” said Kang. “Hitting it straight. Chipping well. Putting well.”
South Koreans Hee Won Na and Seung Yeon Lee are tied for second at 9-under.
Canadians Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Alena Sharp of Hamilton sit tied for 30th at 3-under.
Australia’s Minjee Lee, the firstround leader, shot a 2-under 70 and now sits in a four-way tie for fourth with South Korea’s Ha Na Jang, Somi Lee and Jin Young Ko at 8-under.
“I’m really not paying attention to other people,” Kang said. “I think that’s one of the things that I’ve gotten better at. I haven’t looked at the leaderboard once. I know that people already know that I’m a leaderboard watcher, but I really am caring less what people are doing in my group, what they’re shooting. I’m just worried about my own game and sticking to my own game plan, but it’s hard to do.”
Jeongeun Lee6, who started the day one stroke off the lead, fell all the way back to a tie for 24th after shooting 1-over 73.
Lydia Ko, the world No. 1, is also tied for 24th at 4-under. She needs a sixth-place finish or better to earn the 2019 Rolex Player of the Year award.
LPGA rookie Kristen Gillman won a BMW 7-Series sedan after picking up the first ace of her career on the 180-yard, par 3 No. 13 hole. She’s at 3-under for the tournament.
Meanwhile, more than six inches of rain fell on the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Japan on Friday, forcing the PGA’S Zozo Championship to be delayed for one day. The second round is scheduled for Saturday.
Tiger Woods and U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland share the lead at 6-under par 64 after one round.
Canada’s Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., sits tied for 14th at 1-under, while Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., is tied for 33rd at 1-over.
No fans will be permitted on the course due to what the PGA described as safety concerns.
Barring additional weather delays, the tournament will conclude Monday as a 72-hole event.