by Singapore-Olympic gold medal winner and LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko moved within a shot from the leadership with a 5-under 67 Friday after two rounds of the HSBC Women World Championship.
New Zealander, born in South Korea, had a two-round total of 6-under 138 on the Tanjong-Baan at Sentosa Golf Club. First round leader A Lim Kim held the lead after 36 holes with a 69 Friday.
The steady Ko hit 11 of 14 fairways and 16 of 17 Greens in regulations in its bogey-free round. When she won the gold medal in Paris last year, 27-year-old Ko became the youngest player to enter the Hall of Fame of the LPGA.
“I don’t think I usually play really well on this golf course and I thought this year would be a good year to turn that around,” said Ko. “The scores have not really been that low in recent days. I just try to concentrate on me and hopefully just keep climbing the leaderboard.”
Ko said that the entrance of Olympic gold and Hall of Fame had changed her way of thinking.
“I absolutely have more fun, and in a way I have the feeling that I am in a position where I can go for things and try new things and clearly not what was good from last year,” said Ko.
“But I think it’s a bit of a different mentality. I still have goals, and while I am still playing, I want to play the best wave I can and as much as I can. There is no better feeling than being the person who hoists the trophy at the end of Sunday. ‘
Charley Hull from England (70) was bound in third place with Hyo Joo Kim (66), two shots of the lead.
Defending champion Hannah Green had a 69 Friday and was at Even-Par 144, level with Angel Yin, who won the LPGA Thailand event last week and shot 68.
The Singapore field contains nine of the top 10 players in the world ranking – and 13 of the Top 15 – Min only the best -ranking Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang.
The last event of the three-tournament of the LPGA Early Asian Swing will be played next week at Hainan Island, China.
