KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — South Korean golfer, Ilhee Lee continued to top the leaderboard after the second round of the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysian Golf Championship at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, here, today.
The world number 39 carded seven birdies but bogeyed the 16th hole to record six-under-par 65 in today’s round for a two-rounds total of 13-under-par 129.
Lexi Thompson of the United States on the other hand, took over second spot from compatriot Brittany Lang in the US$2 million (RM6.391 million) tournament after she firing a brilliant eight-under-par 63 including an eagle on the 14th hole for a two-day total of 12-under-par 130.
“On the back nine, I made a few birdies and then I had that eagle, so I pretty much just had it going my way. I just tried to keep confident out there.
Focused on one shot at a time,” said the 18-year old Thompson, who was tied at seventh position in the opening round yesterday.
China’s Feng Shanshan who is still fresh from winning the Reignwood LPGA Classic on her home soil last week, moved up four rungs to clinch third placing after she birdied six holes besides being bogey-free on the other 12 holes to post a two-round total of 10-under-par 132.
“I thought the rain (today) was going to make all the fairways and greens softer. So like went on the attack on the first holes, I really went for it to try to land close to the pin, but it (ball) didn’t stop. It’ was still pretty similar as yesterday,” said the jubilant Chinese.
Defending champion and world number one, Inbee Park of South Korea, meanwhile, continued with her dismal performance, bogeying the second and fourth holes and finishing today’s round with an even par 71, which saw her tied at 39th placing with five other golfers.
Her compatriot Na Yeon Choi, who was last last year’s runner-up, however, showed a tremendous performance to move up 11 rungs to joint 53th position with three others after she carded three-under par 68 today.
Except for Aretha Pan, three other Malaysian golfers in the fray had a “bad hair day” today.
Aretha Pan who earned a berth in the tournament after winning the local qualifying round last month, moved up five rungs to joint 64th place with two others after she shot an even par 71.
Amateur player, Michelle Koh who was the top local golfer yesterday (joint 28th), dropped to 61st position after she bogeyed the first, sixth, eight, ninth and 14th holes, besides a double bogey on the second hole.
Meanwhile, 37-year-old Sabahan, Cindy Lee Pridgen who is based in United States, bogeyed the second, fourth, sixth, seventh and 14th holes and ended up with a score of six over par 77.
Ainil Johani Abu Bakar, who claimed her maiden professional title at the Kenda Tires LPGA Open in July, also had a terrible round, bogeying the fourth, 13th and 14th holes to complete the day with two over par 73. — Bernama
