Suzann Pettersen shot a four-under 68 on Saturday to extend her lead to five strokes over South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon after the second round of the LPGA KEB HanaBank Championship.

The Norwegian failed to reach the levels of her opening round when she carded a course-record 63 but still had a strong lead going into the final day of the three-round event at the Sky72 Ocean Course at Incheon.

Two birdies on the final two holes capped a strong performance over the first two days for the world No.9.

“It just felt like I got out there this morning and I didn’t really expect it to be as breezy as it was,” Pettersen said.

“Not that it was extremely windy, but it was a little different yesterday … and it almost took me nine holes to adjust to the conditions.

“On the back nine, very happy the way I finished. I was standing on 15 and said to myself, it would be nice to finish with two or three birdies, and I think that’s what I did. Good way to finish the day.”

Ryu had a 70 to hold outright second place, a stroke ahead of compatriot Pak Se-ri, who had the day’s best round with a 67, Germany’s Sandra Gal, and the top-ranked Yani Tseng.

Tseng, the defending champion, finished the opening day strongly to suggest that her recent slump may be coming to an end.

Two birdies in the first four holes on Saturday put the Taiwanese star just two shots behind the leader only for bogies at the sixth, eighth and ninth holes to drag her back into the pack.

Three birdies on the back nine left the defending champion six shots off the pace and with an outside chance of a successful title defence.

“I’m very looking forward to tomorrow and just want to relax and have the same strategy as today,” said Tsang.

One shot back, seven behind Pettersen, are Lexi Thompson of the US, Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, Azahara Munoz of Spain and local player Kim Ha-neul.

Michelle Wie, invited by sponsors after struggling with her form, is two-over after two rounds and tied for 40th place.