Pornanong one off pace in Singapore
Thai ace just one stroke behind South Koreans Jang, Lee at HSBC Women’s Champions
>> SINGAPORE: Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum shot a five-under-par 67 in the second round to stay one shot off the lead at the HSBC Women’s Champions yesterday.
The Chaiyaphum native had a two-round total of 137, one stroke behind South Koreans Jang Ha-Na and Lee Mi-Rim.
“I had a solid round and am really happy. I made some mistakes but could manage to recover,” she said.
Seeking to be the first Thai to win on the LPGA Tour, Pornanong has been in good form this year, having finished 12th at last week’s Honda LPGA Thailand.
“I am better prepared for this week both physically and with the equipment.”
Her best result in Singapore has been a joint 10th place in the 2013 edition.
She added that she had less pressure playing in Singapore than playing in front of Thai fans.
Meanwhile, world No.1 Lydia Ko carded a 74 as she slipped nine shots off the pace set by Jang and Lee.
The 18-year-old, seeking her first win at the tournament, has much ground to make up at the Sentosa course after an unsatisfying first two rounds.
Defending champion Park In-Bee was also five shots back from Jang and Lee, who fired 66 and 67 respectively for matching aggregate scores of 136.
Park, who didn’t card a single bogey as she romped to the title last year, struggled to a 73 on another windy day at the resort island course.
Jang shot to the top of the leaderboard after shooting four birdies and an eagle on the par-five seventh, before Lee joined her at the top.
“First round and second round, two eagles, so I feel very comfortable,” said Jang.
“Today I’m very comfortable on the front nine and I told myself, ‘Don’t do too much thinking, just be patient’. There are two more days, so I have to concentrate more.”
Like Jang, Lee had a flawless day and carded five birdies to move six places to the top. But the windy conditions affected her drives and she said she had to be sharper on the greens.
Lee said: “I feel that my swing right now is not good, but my short game is better and I am scoring well.”
Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and Pornanong are trailing the leading pair by a stroke.
Pettersen, who fired 69 to go with her opening round of 68, said she was in a good position heading into the weekend.
“I’ve been playing some solid golf, hitting good golf shots and manoeuvring myself around this golf course in a pretty easy way,” said Pettersen. “It’s nice that I feel comfortable.”