Narin An of South Korea fired the day’s low round of 65 and Sarah Schmelzel shot a 69 to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Blue Bay LPGA in Hainan Island, China, on Friday.
With a 9-under par 135 at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course, they top a crowded leaderboard.
South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (69 on Friday) is 8-under, and China’s Ruixin Lui (71) and Minjee Lee of Australia (72) sit tied for fourth at 8-under. Lee was the leader after a first-round 65.
In a four-way tie for sixth at 6-under are Stephanie Meadow of Northern Ireland (68), Lydia Ko of Australia (70) and Americans Bailey Tardy (70) and Lucy Li (71).
An, starting on No. 10, recorded three birdies on the back nine, then birdied Nos. 1 through 5 after making the turn. A bogey on No. 8 left her 7-under on the day, and her 65 tied the 18-hole tournament scoring record.
Schmelzel played the first 11 holes at even par, then had consecutive birdies at Nos. 12-14.
“It was good,” said Schmelzel, who record her first top-10 finish of the season last week in Singapore at the HSBC Women’s World Championship. “I didn’t really change much of my process from — or was going to change much of my process — from the first round to today’s round, and same goes for the weekend. You know, just trying to put one foot in front of the other, really manage the golf course. With the greens and everything, just trying to really minimize mistakes.
“It’s nice to see the prep work and the game plan pay off so par, and just looking forward to seeing how it holds up over the weekend.”
Choi carded two bogeys and five birdies, including four birdies in five holes from Nos. 14 to 18. Over two rounds, she leads the field with 13 total birdies.
“I had a great round today,” Choi said. “There were a few difficult moments but I managed to pass it, so it was a good day overall.”
Defending champion Gaby Lopez of Mexico followed her opening-round 71 with a 72 and is tied for 26th at 1-under for the tournament.
–Field Level Media