Choi Na Yeon
KUALA LUMPUR: South Korean golfer Choi Na-Yeon continued to dominate the second round of the 2012 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia golf championship at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club yesterday.
The world number four carded a two-round total of 132 after adding another six birdies against two bogeys to record four-under-par 67 in yesterday’s round.
Na-Yeon started off the first-nine shooting three birdies, at the third, fifth and sixth holes, while on her second-nine, she dropped two bogeys at the 11th and 17th hole.
“I think I’m still in a pretty good position. I’m quite happy with the way I played here. I hit very good,” the 25-year-old said, adding, “I’m not sure how the other players are doing and am just focusing on my game.”
Following two strokes adrift is United States’ Sydnee Michaels.
“I gave myself good birdie chances every time. I made the putts. So, I was rolling the ball really well today. Overall, it is a solid round,” said Sydnee.
Four players currently share third position with an identical two-day scores of seven-under-par 135.
They are Norway’s Suzann Pettersen (71-64), Lizette Salas of the US (68-67) and two Japanese players, Momoko Ueda (68-67) and Mika Miyazato (66-69). Opening round joint leader, Karrie Webb of Australia, concluded her second round in joint seventh position with six-under-par 136 with four other players.
Malaysia’s best finisher thus far is national player, Aretha Pan, who scored another 73 for a two-day total of 146 to share 53rd placing with South Korea’s Jenny Shin and US’ Jennifer Johnson.
“I wasn’t very lucky as I bumped into some trouble in today’s round. I did not hit solid and hadn’t enough practice,” said Aretha, the Pahang Sukma gold medallist from Sabah.
The other Malaysians in the competition struggled to find their pace.
Professionals Jean Chua and Ainil Johani Abu Bakar are currently in 58th and 66th placing respectively while amateur S. Sarfina Vinota is at the bottom of the scoreboard. — Bernama