U.S. Women’s Open champ takes LPGA lead in S. Korea; top local star lurks

INCHEON, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) — Reigning U.S. Women’s Open champion Brittany Lang grabbed the halfway lead at the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship on Friday, with the top player on the Korean tour lurking.

Lang shot a seven-under 65 in the second round at the par-72 Ocean Course at Sky 72 Golf & Resort, adjacent to Incheon International Airport. At 10-under through two rounds, Lang leads fellow American Alison Lee by one stroke.

This is the only LPGA tournament in South Korea each year. It’s the third stop of the tour’s Asian swing and boasts the strongest field so far, with 17 of the world’s top 20 in action.

Lang drained five birdies and an eagle to follow up the first round 69. Lee, born in Los Angeles to Korean parents, followed her 65 with a 70 on Friday, mixing in three birdies and an eagle with three bogeys.

“It was a very enjoyable day. The greens are really firm but roll really nice. It was such a perfect day of weather,” Lang said. “I was really swinging at it well. Hit a lot of fairways and greens, made some long putts early, and had a cool eagle on the back and then birdie 18. It was just a really enjoyable, nice, solid day of play.”

In this Associated Press photo, Brittany Lang of the United States watches her shot at the third hole during the second round of the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship at Sky 72 Golf & Resort’s Ocean Course in Incheon on Oct. 14, 2016.

Park Sung-hyun, the money leader on the Korea LPGA (KLPGA) Tour this year with seven victories, moved into contention thanks to a 65 on Friday, sitting three back of Lang at halfway point. Park, who had nine birdies against two bogeys, is tied with Cristie Kerr of the United States, who also carded a 65 in the second round.

With little left to prove at home, Park, who has climbed to No. 9 in the world rankings in limited appearances on the LPGA Tour, may commit to the U.S. tour full-time next season.

Park set a course record here with a 10-under 62 in the first round last year. This year’s first round didn’t go as well — Park shot a 72 Thursday — but she said she tried to bring back positive vibes from a year ago.

“I was worried because the first round didn’t go as well as I wanted, and I thought I had to get used to the greens here quickly,” Park said. “I was a bit shaky with the irons early on, but the ball-striking got better as the round wore on. Obviously, I have fond memories from last year, and I figured I could go low again at some point this year.”

Park Sung-hyun of South Korea watches her second shot at the ninth hole during the second round of the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship at Sky 72 Golf & Resort’s Ocean Course in Incheon on Oct. 14, 2016.

Park is one of five South Koreans in the top 10 at halfway point. Kim In-kyung, who won an LPGA title in Beijing on Oct. 2, is at six-under after a 70 on Friday. Kim Min-sun, a KLPGA player, is another stroke behind, tied with former U.S. Women’s Open champion Ji Eun-hee and another KLPGA player Cho Jeong-min.

A South Korean has won the past three LPGA events in a row.

Defending champion Lexi Thompson is also in the group of six players at five-under.