Same-again Larsen edges clear in Toronto
TORONTO, Canada: Denmark's Nicole Broch Larsen delivered a second consecutive six-under-par 66 to open up a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the LPGA Tour's Canadian Pacific Women's Open on Friday.
Larsen, chasing her first LPGA Tour victory, carded eight birdies in another lowscoring day at Magna Golf Club near Toronto.
Two bogeys on the 4th and 15th holes prevented the 26year-old from opening up a bigger lead heading into the weekend.
Larsen, who is at 12 under, is one stroke clear of South Korea's Ko Jin-young, who posted a five-under-par 67 to finish the day at 11 under.
China's Liu Yu is tied for third place alongside Canadian defending champion Brooke Henderson, and Thailand's Pajaree Anannarukarn, all on nine under.
Amy Olson of the United States is in sole possession of sixth place on the leaderboard after a four-under-par 68 left her at eight under, a shot clear of four players tied on seven under.
Larsen meanwhile said she had been liberated from the pressure of trying to force her way onto Europe's team for next month's Solheim Cup showdown with the United States.
"I didn't make the team either this year, and when that's announced I seem to play a lot better," Larsen said.
"It's been a big goal of mine to make it. I definitely put a lot of pressure on myself. I really want to make that team."
Larsen meanwhile is hoping to build on her experience from 2017, when she led in Canada after three rounds but could only shoot even par on the final day to miss out on victory.
"I can definitely learn from two years ago when I was in this position," she said. "I'm just going to see if I can play as free as possible."
Elsewhere on Friday, 12year-old schoolgirl Michelle Liu's tournament ended with a 10-over-par 82, which left her at 19 over following her nineover-par first round.
"It was definitely a great experience," the Canadian youngster said. "I think it'll really help me moving forward and in other tournaments." - AFP