Defending champion Lorena Ochoa fired her second straight eight-under 65 on Friday to take a three-shot lead midway through the USLPGA Tour’s Corona Championship.
The world No. 1 from Mexico notched her second bogey-free effort in as many days for a halfway total of 130 that put her in a good position to defend the title she won last year.
Norway’s Suzann Pettersen posted a 64 for 133.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Ochoa’s round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-five eighth and also included six birdies.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, ranked No. 2 in the world, fired a 66 and South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon a 69 to lie five strokes back on 11-under 135.
It was a further stroke back to American Kristy McPherson (68).
American Michelle Wie (71) was on nine-under 137, along with Sarah Lee (70), Karrie Webb (67), Irene Cho (67) and Brittany Lang (68).
American Brittany Lincicome, coming off a major victory in the Kraft Nabisco on April 5, followed her opening 75 with a 73 to miss the cut.
Taiwan’s Teresa Lu shot a 71 to reach the halfway stage tied 40th on three-under, while compatriot Amy Hung missed the cut.
■ZURICH CLASSIC
AFP, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Jerry Kelly, who is seeking to end a seven-year victory drought, fired a six-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Friday.
Kelly rolled in seven birdies and had one bogey as he moved to 10-under 134.
He had a one-shot lead on fellow Americans Troy Matteson (64) and Charley Hoffman (66), while first-round leader Charlie Wi of South Korea shot two-under 70 and was tied with five others for third.
England’s Ian Poulter and Rory Sabbatini of South Africa also continued to play well. They were three shots adrift of Kelly after Poulter shot a 66 on Friday and Sabbatini a 67.
Former champion Andres Romero of Argentina was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.
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