NAPLES, Florida — World No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand stumbled late to leave South Korea’s Jang Ha-na atop the leaderboard after Friday’s second round of the LPGA Tour Championship.
The 18-year-old Kiwi star, coming off her first major title earlier this year in France, is battling South Korea’s second-ranked Park In-bee for a host of awards in this season-ending showdown, including Player of the Year honors as well as season money and point crowns and the top ranking.
Jang, a 23-year-old rookie seeking her first LPGA title after three runner-up efforts this year, fired a seven-under par 65 to finish 36 holes on 10-under 134 with Ko next on 136 after a 67. Jang birdied four of the first six holes and two of the first three on the back nine.
Ko had six birdies in her first 11 holes and was level with Jang until a double bogey at 15. Both players made bogeys at the par-3 16th as well then each birdied 17 and 18 to keep Jang ahead by two.
Americans Cristie Kerr and Jennifer Song shared third on 137 after each firing 69. Another stroke back were France’s Karine Icher and Americans Brittany Lincicome and Gerina Piller.
Japan’s Ai Miyazato, Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, South Korean Kim Sei-young and Americans Lexi Thompson and Austin Ernst shared eighth on 139.
Scott falters, Millar ahead
Matthew Millar overcame blustery winds to shoot a 3-under 68 — one of the best rounds of the day at Huntingdale — and take a one-stroke lead after three rounds at the Australian Masters.
Adam Scott, who led after the first two rounds, bogeyed his opening hole and struggled all day for a 77 and was five strokes behind. He began and ended the back nine with consecutive bogeys on 10-11 and 17-18.
Millar had a 7-under total of 206. Andrew Evans shot 70 and was in second place, followed by four players tied for third, two strokes behind: Peter Senior (68), Michael Sim (68), John Senden (71) and Matthew Guyatt (73).
American George McNeill was the highest-place non-Australian in seventh place after a 73, three strokes behind. Scott was in a group at 2-under that included American amateur Brydon DeChambeau (72).
Millar says his game is suited to Huntingdale; the traditional home of the Australian Masters which is hosting the event for the first time in seven years now the event is rotated.
“I love playing the sand-belt,” he said. “I guess the golf course is not like modern-day long, long. So there’s a lot of holes where I can hit driver, and if I’m playing half reasonable, I’m hitting it reasonably straight. For me, it’s good, just suits my eye.”
Scott won the Australian Masters in 2012 at Kingston Heath and 2013 at Royal Melbourne, but lost playoffs at Huntingdale in 2002 and 2003. If his game doesn’t improve Sunday, he could be heading to next week’s Australian Open in Sydney without an elusive win at Huntingdale. — Agencies
