Los Angeles, Sept 18 (AFP\/APP):World number two Ko Jin-young surged to the top of the leaderboard on Friday with a five-under 67 to take a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the LPGA Portland Classic.<\/p>\n
Ko, who is playing in her first tournament since failing to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, rolled in six birdies, including back-to-back efforts at the 13th and 14th, with the only blemish a bogey on the par-four 11th.
\nKo finished a disappointing ninth at the Games in Japan six weeks ago then took a break at home in neighbouring South Korea to spend time with family and friends.<\/p>\n
“I am playing really good right now,” she said. “I spent over a month in Korea, so I feel really fresh.”<\/p>\n
Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh is alone in second after shooting a 69 in Friday’s second round at the Oregon Golf Club.
\nFirst round co-leader Carlota Ciganda of Spain fired a 71 and is in solo third, three strokes behind Ko.<\/p>\n
Ko needed just 48 putts in her first two rounds and says the greens at the course are in great condition.
\n“If I putt as I see the green, I have the confidence that they will always go in,” she said.<\/p>\n
Ko played in a group with long-hitters Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand and American Angel Yin.
\nTavatanakit, who won her first major at the ANA Inspiration this year, is one of the longest drivers on the tour.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old from Bangkok bounced back with a five-under 67 to be tied 14th after carding a disappointing four-over 76 in Thursday’s first round. Yin shot a 74 and is tied for 23rd, nine shots behind Ko.<\/p>\n
“They hit so far, so I try to not look at the swing or distance,” Ko said. “But Patty played good, so I wanted to follow her. That’s why I play really good today.”<\/p>\n
Dryburgh, who won her first LPGA title at the World Invitational in Northern Ireland last month, drained three consecutive birdies, beginning at the par-four 16.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Los Angeles, Sept 18 (AFP\/APP):World number two Ko Jin-young surged to the top of the leaderboard on Friday with a five-under 67 to take a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the LPGA Portland Classic. Ko, who is playing in her first tournament since […]<\/p>\n
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