China’s Feng Shanshan seized a three-stroke lead after the second round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic on Saturday while Australian Karrie Webb is still in contention heading into the final day.
Feng, who ran off four birdies in a row on the back nine on her way to a four-under par 67, stood on six-under 136 after 36 holes in the $US1.5 million event that concludes on Sunday.
South Korean Kang Hae-Ji and Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn share second on 139.
Japan’s Chie Arimura, who matched Feng for the day’s low round, shared fourth with Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist on 140.
Seven-time major winner Webb shot four birdies on her way to a 69 round to sit five shots off the pace in a tie for sixth place with Americans Michelle Wie and Amanda Blumenhurst, South Korean Park Hee-Young and France’s Karine Icher.
Fellow Australian Lindsey Wright had a horror three-over 74 round featuring five bogeys leaving her in a tie for 26th spot on 145.
After birdies at the par-4 second and par-5 third holes, Feng stumbled with a bogey at the par-3 eighth. Her run of four birdies in a row began at the 14th and included the par-3 15th and 17th holes, but Feng then closed with a bogey.
“My irons and putting have been really good,” said Feng.
“After four birdies, I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I’m doing well right now’.”
Eighth-ranked Feng became the first Chinese player to win an LPGA tour event when she captured last year’s LPGA Championship for her first major title, a crown she will defend next week in suburban Rochester, New York.
“After that win last year, it really gave me a lot more confidence,” Feng said. “This year, I haven’t been playing real well. I’ve made three top 10s on the LPGA but like seventh, eighth, ninth, nothing like really up top.
“I’m in good position this week and if I can have some good results this week, it’s definitely going to give me more confidence for next week.”
Feng and Guan Tianlang, the 14-year-old Chinese amateur who was the youngest-ever player at this year’s Masters, have raised the profile of golf in China, which will host a new LPGA event later this year.
“I think it is improving,” Feng said. “Last year, I was named best non-Olympic athlete, because last year golf was not in the Olympics, and that was the first time a golfer has been nominated for the award.
“And we all know Guan Tianlang is only 14, and we are from the same hometown. I watched him growing up and how he started playing golf and now he’s actually made the cut in the Masters.
“I think there are a few more really good juniors that are coming up, so I think it is improving.”
