Hull-Kirk & Nordqvist atop HanaBank Championship


Sweden's Anna Nordqvist and Australian Katherine Hull-Kirk each shot 2-under 70 to remain tied for the lead in the HanaBank Championship. The $1.9 million, 54-hole LPGA Tour event began Friday on the Ocean Course at Sky 72 Golf Club in Incheon, South Korea.

Nordqvist and Hull-Kirk opened with 67s, matching the scores of South Koreans Ju Young Pak and Amy Wang after 18 holes. The latter two players shot 71s to drop into a share of third at 138 with defending champion Suzann Pettersen, who posted her second straight 69.

Nordqvist is a two-time winner on the tour. Since both titles came in majors in 2009, she's happy to be playing well and hopefully end the victory drought. "I played really solid today," Nordqvist said.

"I had a lot of opportunities and I putted a lot of good putts that seemed to go in. I had a couple really good shots that just caught the wind, but overall I'm in a good spot going into tomorrow so I'm very happy."

The player all the contenders are watching is Pettersen, who's second on the season's money list. "I expected to be in contention the way I've been playing, that's all I can ask for," said Pettersen, who has two wins this year.

"We'll see where I go out tomorrow, but I feel pretty comfortable with the position I'm in."

The American highest on the leaderboard is Alison Walshe at 139 following rounds of 71 and 68.

For complete scoring details, visit www.lpga.com.