South Korea’s Lee So-mi carded a six-under 65 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Evian Championship.
The 26-year-old made six birdies and an eagle in the lowest round of the day to move to 10 under par, one ahead of Australia’s Grace Kim.
Kim was part of a five-way tie for the lead overnight and followed up with a steady 68 that included four birdies and a bogey.
Lee, whose only top-10 finish in a Major came at the Women’s PGA Championship last month, admitted her tee shots were not ideal.
“Tee shots are really important on this course, but mine weren’t great today,” said Lee. “But I managed to make up for it with some solid putting.”
She is coming off a team victory with Im Jin-hee at the LPGA Dow Championship in Michigan.
“I’m trying to put the last tournament behind me and focus on the present,” said Lee. “Right now, I’m concentrating on my putter and driver, keeping my rhythm – and we’ll see where that takes me.”
American Jennifer Kupcho, a former Evian runner-up, signed for a 69 to sit one stroke behind Kim.
South Africa’s Casandra Alexander climbed into a tie for fourth on seven under, alongside South Korea’s Choi Hye-jin and American Andrea Lee.
Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels and Ireland’s Leona Maguire, part of the leading pack on Thursday, both slipped back after even-par 71s.
World No 1 Nelly Korda is five shots off the pace following a one-under 70. The American is chasing a third Major title and her first since last year’s Chevron.
Korda struggled early with two bogeys and a double at the 16th but rallied with three birdies on the front nine to stay in touch.
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Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Article Link: Lee takes narrow lead at Evian, Saffa shares fourth