Park Hee-Young fired a three-under-par 68 on Friday to seize a one-stroke lead at the LPGA Kingsmill Championship, where rain wreaked havoc on the second round.
South Korea’s Park was in the clubhouse with a 36-hole total of eight-under 134, one stroke in front of Americans Stacy Lewis and Brittany Lang.
Lewis completed a six-under 65 and Lang carded a 67, and three other players – Spain’s Azahara Munoz and Americans Lexi Thompson and Lizette Salas – were also at seven-under when darkness halted play with 24 groups still to complete their rounds.
The start was delayed more than three hours after a storm dumped 2.5cm of rain on the course.
Park coped admirably, and said the rain-softened greens were actually easier to play.
“This golf course, the hardest thing is the greens are pretty firm,” she said. “But today after rain, they’re holding pretty well, so a lot of players can play more aggressive.”
Park teed off early and was in the clubhouse with a bevy of players still to start their rounds.
She was glad not to be among those who will have to complete their second rounds on Saturday, but there was also a trade-off.
“This morning when I teed off, the weather was still pretty bad,” said Park, a two-time winner on the LPGA tour. “A little bit of showers, rain, a little bit windy, cold.”
Lewis thought it was an advantage to tee off knowing she’d complete her round, and she expected the course to be in great shape for the weekend.
The American had six birdies without a bogey. She said her closest call was at the eighth hole, where she ran a birdie attempt five feet past the hole but made it coming back.
“I definitely have a better feeling coming off the course today,” said Lewis, the world No.2 who is coming off a win at the North Texas Shootout and can take top spot from South Korean Park In-Bee this week.
“I just feel like I played a lot more solid, hit the ball better, definitely had more control going into the greens.
“I think less wind helped there. I just stayed really patient and made a few putts and added up to a pretty good score.”
