Posted at 6:20 a.m., Saturday, October 20, 2007
Golf: Petterson leads by 1 in LPGA South Korea tourney
Associated Press
GYEONGJU, South Korea — Norway's Suzann Pettersen shot an even-par 72 for a one-stroke lead after the second round of the LPGA Tour's Hana Bank KOLON Championship today.Pettersen, sidelined for eight months in 2005 by a career-threatening ruptured disk in her back, has had a breakthrough season, highlighted by her first major title in the McDonald's LPGA Championship in June.
The long-hitter also won the Michelob Ultra Open in May for her first LPGA Tour victory, took the European tour's SAS Masters in August in Norway, and beat Lorena Ochoa two weeks ago in a playoff in the Longs Drugs Challenge. Last Sunday in the Samsung, Pettersen finished fifth after beginning the final round tied for the lead with Ochoa.
Eun-Hee Ji shot a 4-under 68 for the best round of the day to move into second place with a 142. Seon Hwa Lee (71) and Jeong Jang (72) are another stroke back at 143.
South Korea's Meena Lee, who shared the first-round lead with Pettersen, struggled with a 77 and is tied in a group of four for eighth place. U.S. Women's Open champion Cristie Kerr rebounded after an opening-round 75 with a 71 and is also at 146. U.S. star Natalie Gulbis is another shot back.
Ochoa, the Mexican star who wrapped up her second straight player of the year award last week with a victory in the Samsung World Championship, leads the tour with seven victories and has earned a record $3,318,421 this year. The top-ranked Ochoa shot a 75 and is also six strokes off the pace at 147.
