WEIHAI, China, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Kim Ji-hyun moved to the top of the Asiana Airlines Open leaderboard on Saturday as the South Korean veteran reeled off six consecutive birdies for a five-under 67 and a one shot lead after two rounds in Shandong province.
Through 36 holes at Weihai Point Golf Resort, “Kim Ji-Hyun2,” as she is known on the LPGA Tour of Korea (KLPGA), was on eight-under 136. Compatriot Ji Han-sol was a close second after shooting 68 at the RMB4.15 million tournament, a co-sponsored event with the China LPGA Tour.
South Korean Park Min-ji (69) was third at three shots back in the 78 player, no-cut field.
Saranporn Langkulgasettrin was the top CLPGA Tour player as the Thai shot 71 to sit six shots back in a group of four players including overnight leader Lee Jung-min who ballooned to a 77.
Feng Shanshan was the leading Chinese as the world No. 6 rebounded with a one-under 71 to get to even par at eight shots off the pace.
Kim, a three-time winner in South Korea, came out firing when she made birdie at the 345-yard second hole. She then proceeded to pick up shots over the next five holes to get to nine-under. Following a bogey six at the 495-yard, par-five 10th hole she played par golf back to the clubhouse.
“I played great on the front nine. I was in my comfort zone and didn’t know how many birdies I had. My focus is really good,” said the 26-year-old Kim whose last win came at the Lotte Cantata Ladies Open in June last year.
“After the turn I made some wrong decisions on wind directions. But I kept the leading position, which is a nice thing.”
Saranporn, the current CLPGA Tour money leader who has won five times over the past two seasons, made the most of her early start in calm conditions. Her second consecutive round of 71 included three birdies and two bogeys.
“I was pretty happy with my two rounds. My mind and my putts were together so my putting has been so good for two rounds,” said the Phuket teenager who was equal 21st here last year.
“I’m just going to play my round tomorrow, but I want to fix my stupid shots because today I still have some. Overall I am just happy and I am going to go out and enjoy it instead of being too focused.”
Feng, who is still looking for her first win of the year, said she was encouraged by her round that included four birdies over the first six holes of the Weihai Point back nine.
“I found out my swing a little bit at the 10th hole. I hit it close at a couple of holes and made tap-in birdies. My shots were better than yesterday and I made one more birdie. Hopefully I can have a low round tomorrow. This year I haven’t had a very low score. Six-under is my lowest,” said the Guangdong native who won the bronze medal at the Rio Olympics.
“This event seems like a major with so many good South Korean players. You know (world No. 1) Inbee Park won many times on the US LPGA tour, but she hadn’t won a title on the KLPGA Tour until this year (at the Doosan Match Play Championship).”
Weihai Point Golf Resort is a 6,155-yard, par-72 layout designed by GolfPlan.
Asiana Airlines Open second round leading scores (China unless stated):
136 – Kim Ji-hyun (South Korea) 69-67
137 – Ji Han-sol (South Korea) 69-68
139 – Park Min-ji (South Korea) 70-69
140 – Bae Seon-woo (South Korea) 71-69, Lee So-young (South Korea) 67-73
141 – Cho Jeong-min (South Korea) 70-71
142 – Saranporn Langkulgasettrin (Thailand) 71-71, Choi Hye-jin (South Korea) 70-72, Lee Seung-hyun (South Korea) 69-73, Lee Jung-min (South Korea) 65-77
143 – Kim Hye-sun (South Korea) 71-72, Kim Min-sun (South Korea) 67-76
144 – Feng Shanshan 73-71, Park Gyeol (South Korea) 75-69, Lee Solar (South Korea) 71-73
145 – Kim Hyun-soo (South Korea) 75-70, Kim Char-young 73-72, Oh Ji-hyun (South Korea) 72-73
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