Megan Khang
(Photo: Gabe Roux)
|
January 29, 2016, Paradise Island, Bahamas – Cristie Kerr put on a show. Rookie Megan Khang performed like
anything but a rookie. They were the lead storylines in
Friday’s second round
of the $1.4 million Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.
While Kerr threatened the course
record, Khang birdied the par-5 18th hole to cap a 5-under-par 68
and climb into a share of the lead with first-round co-leaders Charley Hull of
England and Haru Nomura of Japan on a day when tricky winds strafed the Ocean
Club Golf Course. Hull and Nomura each shot 70 and completed 36 holes with
Khang at 8-under 138.
“It was such a grind. To come out with a 68 is incredible,” said
Khang, who turned pro in December and is making her debut as an LPGA member
this week. “It
definitely will take some time to sink in, but I think my game's at a good
place right now and I definitely think I can hold my own. I've played in the
[U.S.] Open a few times and they're all there, all the pros are there, even
like the best amateurs make it there. So I think I can hold my own.”
Lurking just a stroke back was
defending champion Sei Young Kim, who also fired a 68 for 139. Anna Nordqvist, Min
Seo Kwak and Catriona Matthew, with 69, 70 and 71, respectively, were also a
stroke behind.
Cristie Kerr
(Photo: Gabe Roux)
|
Paula Creamer, one of seven co-leaders
after the opening round, held the lead for much of the morning while getting to
8 under par, but a 4-over stretch near the finish dropped her back until a
closing birdie at the par-5 18th. She ended up with a 1-under 72 and
shares eighth place with Hyo Joo Kim, who submitted a second straight 70.
But nobody on the sunny but blustery
day played better than veteran Cristie Kerr. After an opening 77, the former
U.S. Open winner put together a remarkable 8-under 65 to tie the tournament
record Creamer and Michelle Wie set in 2014. The performance vaulted Kerr into
contention at 4-under 142.
“Yeah, after
yesterday, it wasn't looking good and very difficult day, and I just came out
and just did it,” said Kerr, who traced her improvement to better thinking.
“My
mental game wasn't there yesterday. I felt like my routine was rushed. In
looking back on it, I kind of had to forgive myself a little bit. And it wasn't
easy because that was really only my third tournament in like four or five
months. I was kind of just jittery. So I'm very happy with the progress today.”
Pure Silk ambassador Brittany
Lincicome was in the group at 5-under 141 after a 71, but at one point she was tied
at the top of the leaderboard with Creamer at 7 under until a double bogey at
No. 16. World No. 3 Stacy Lewis, after a 68, also was 5 under, while Alison
Lee, a first-round co- leader, carded even-par 73 for 141.
Rookie
Ashlan Ramsey, yet one of the other first-round co-leaders, succumbed to the
tricky winds and was among those missing the cut at 2 over 148 after shooting
an 82. Eighty players qualified for the weekend, including past champions Ilhee
Lee and Jessica Korda. Among those missing out were Michelle Wie, who was stung
on the hand by a bee during her first round. Her 73
Friday left her one outside
the cutline. Ariya Jutanugarn, one of two runners-up last year, finished with
78-150.
Sarah Jane
Smith withdrew before the second round
Friday, citing illness. Christina Kim
also withdrew because of injury.
The tournament continues
Saturday with
the third round beginning at
7:10 a.m. EST. Golf Channel will provide live
coverage from
3-5 p.m. EST.
For more tournament information,
visit www.puresilkbahamasclassic.com
.
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