Henderson Shoots into LPGA Lead with 65


Seventeen-year-old Canadian Brooke Henderson fired a 7-under 65 to forge a two-stroke lead at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic. The 72-hole LPGA Tour event began Thursday at Lake Merced Golf Club Daly City, Calif.

The Ontario native carded seven birdies, an eagle on the par-5 14th hole and a bogey to reach 9-under 135, two shots ahead of South Korea's Na Yeon Choi (68) and three in front of Japan's Sakura Yokomine (67) and China's Cindy Feng Yueer (68).

Henderson's 65 set a new tournament record for the low 18-hole mark. "That's pretty cool," said Henderson, who turned pro last December after an outstanding amateur career.

No. 1-ranked Lydia Ko, the event's defending champion who took the opening-round lead with a 67 but shot a 72 Friday, dropped into a tie for fifth. Ko turned 18 Friday.

Henderson told reporters she's ready to challenge Ko, who already has six LPGA victories, including four since the New Zealander turned pro early last year (she won two consecutive Canadian Women's Open titles as an amateur).

"I think I'm ready. Yeah, 17 is young," Henderson said. "As you've seen with Lydia Ko and Lexi Thompson and even Jessica Korda, there are a lot of great names that have been able to do it. I'm hoping that I'm one of them."

Ko heard many vocalized "Happy Birthday" wishes during her round Friday. But that support didn't help much as she posted just one birdie and a bogey in an even-par outing.

"No more singing, please," Ko joked after her round. "Really cool to share this birthday with a lot of the people out here. Lots more time to celebrate tonight. It was a good day. It is really cool that now I'm an adult ... big 18."

Tied with Ko at 139 are Spain's Julieta Granada (69) and South Koreans Min Seo Kwak (67) and Ha Na Jang (71).

No. 3-ranked Stacy Lewis shot a 71 and shares ninth at 140 with three others.

The cut was set at 5-over 149. Among those heading home is Paula Creamer. The 28-year-old Bay Area native, who drew national attention earlier this week by promoting a women's tournament at the home of the Masters, Augusta National, carded rounds of 82 and 78 to miss the cut by 11 strokes.

Reigning U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie qualified for the weekend right on the number.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard.