Jin Younger Ko had 5 back-nine birdies in a seven-under-par 64 at demanding Wilshire Nation Membership for a share of the second-round lead Friday with Nasa Hataoka within the LA Open.
5 strokes behind first-round chief Alison Lee, a former UCLA standout, after a 71, the top-ranked Ko moved into place for her second victory of the season within the first of two consecutive LPGA Tour occasions within the Los Angeles space.
“My placing was so good in the present day,” Ko stated. “I wasn’t anticipating to play rather well in the present day as a result of within the afternoon it’s all the time laborious to play this course. However my placing was good, so I’m pleased with it.”
Hataoka birdied her remaining three holes for a 68 to match Ko at seven beneath.
The beginning of play was delayed for an hour and quarter-hour due to harm to bridges and bunkers from in a single day rain. Eighteen gamers had been unable to complete due to darkness.
After dropping a stroke on the par-four ninth, Ko birdied Nos. 11-14 and added her eighth birdie of the day on the par-four seventeenth.
“I didn’t suppose I performed 5 beneath on the again 9,” Ko stated. “I didn’t know that. I used to be within the zone.”
The 26-year-old South Korean star received in Singapore early final month for her thirteenth LPGA Tour title. She received 5 instances final yr.
“I've two extra rounds, and no person is aware of the way it goes,” Ko stated. “So working laborious and deal with it and go get it.”
Hataoka had seven birdies and 4 bogeys. The 23-year-old from Japan has 5 LPGA Tour victories, successful twice final season.
“The wind was fairly robust,” Hayaoka stated. “The greens are fairly tight, slender. So my plan was to hit the inexperienced, not attempt to be too aggressive. On the again 9, the wind sort of bought weaker, so I used to be in a position to hit on the pin.”
Hannah Inexperienced was third at 5 beneath after a bogey-free 67. The Australian received her two LPGA Tour titles in 2019.
“I’m more than happy,” Inexperienced stated. “I suppose in the present day’s spherical sort of felt like much more beneath par than what it was. I used to be fairly strong with my placing all day in the present day, which was good as a result of yesterday I had a pair three-putts.”
Fellow Australian Minjee Lee, the 2019 winner, had a 68 to match Haeji Kang (69) at 4 beneath. Inbee Park (67) topped the group at three beneath.
“You’ve bought to essentially watch out the way you play the holes — and you may’t get too grasping,” Park stated. “Though the course is brief, it’s simply actually robust.”
Lee was two beneath, following her opening 66 with a 74.
Defending champion Brooke Henderson, enjoying alongside Ko, shot 76-72 to overlook the minimize.
The Palos Verdes Championship is subsequent week.
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