Pak maintains lead in Nine Bridges LPGA Classic
Agencies, Jeju Island, South Korea
South Korea's Se Ri Pak managed to hold on to her lead despite carding a dismal four-over-par 76 in the second round of the Nine Bridges LPGA golf classic here Saturday.
Pak, who is aiming for her fifth victory of the year, took a double-bogey at the 14th as chilly weather with strong winds in this southern resort shook many other players off-balance.
But her four-stroke advantage from the first round kept Pak in the lead by three strokes over compatriot Grace Park, who fired a 71 for a two-round total of 144.
A pack of four players including Lorie Kane of the United States, Mi Hyun Kim of South Korea, Mhairi McKay of Great Britain and Jackie Gallagher-Smith of the United States were tied at 145.
World number one Annika Sorenstam of Sweden scored a one-over- par 73 for 146 to tie with Danielle Ammaccapane of the United States and Carin Koch of Sweden.
The event marks the first official LPGA event in South Korea since 1997.
South Korea is powerfully represented in the LPGA tour, as five South Korean players are currently among the top 25 on the LPGA Tour money list.
In Pine Mountain, Georgia, Australia's Craig Parry shot an eight-under-par 64, tying his lowest score on the U.S. PGA Tour, to join American Tim Herron in a share of the lead after the second round of the US$3.7 million Buick Challenge Friday.
Overnight leader Herron returned a 68 as both players finished 13-under-par on 131, one stroke ahead of world number two Phil Mickelson (67) at the Mountain View Golf Course at Callaway Gardens. Jonathan Byrd (66) was fourth on 133, one ahead of JL Lewis, Chris Riley, David Toms and Chad Campbell.
In Madrid, South Africa's Trevor Immelman holed a 15ft birdie putt in the dark on his last hole in the late evening to capture a share of the Madrid Open second round lead on Friday on a day hit by a 90 minute fog delay.
Immelman just had time to pick up his sixth birdie of a spotless round of six-under-par 65 that took him into joint top with Irish Ryder Cup hero Padraig Harrington on 11-under-par 131.
The pair are a stroke better than veteran Irishman Des Smyth, who shot a 63, Australia's Adam Scott, all in the clubhouse, and Dutchman Maarten Lafeber, whose second round has to be completed, beginning at 0915 local time Saturday, with three holes still to come.
Like Lafeber, Immelman, 22, 2, is seeking his maiden tour title, and if the gritty South African, pipped on the 72nd hole in August for the Scandinavian Masters title by Irishman Graeme McDowell, can play as well as he did at Club de Campo on Friday evening he could come close to breaking his duck.
In Oklahoma City, Hale Irwin made 36 holes in the cold seem like just another day at the golf course.
Irwin, seeking to become the first senior golfer to win $3 million in a season, shot a 2-under-par 70 Friday morning and followed that with a 5-under 67 to take the lead midway through the Senior Tour Championship.
His 137 total gives him a one shot lead over defending champion Bob Gilder and Gil Morgan. Larry Nelson is two strokes back.
In Prattville, Alabama, Jay Delsing eagled the 18th hole on his way to a tournament-record 63 Friday to take the second-round lead at the Buy.com Tour Championship.
Delsing has a one-shot lead over Mike Heinen, Eric Meeks and Jeff Klauk. First-round leader Todd Barranger shot a 1-over 73 and is two strokes off the lead.