Matthew Maintains Lead in Alabama


Scotland's Catriona Matthew followed up her opening 8-under 64 with a 67 to retain the lead in the Airbus LPGA Classic. The $1.3 million event began Thursday on the Magnolia Grove course in Mobile, Ala., a stop on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

Matthew, a 44-year-old from Edinburgh with four LPGA titles and another six on the Ladies European Tour, had six birdies and a bogey - only her second of the tournament - to reach 13-under 131, a stroke ahead of English teenager Charley Hull.

The 18-year-old Hull, who logged her first victory as a professional in the Ladies European Tour's Lalla Meryem Cup in March, also had six birdies and a bogey.

Tied for third at 10-under are South Korea's Hee Young Park (66), Sweden's Anna Nordqvist (66) and American Jessica Korda (67).

Four back are Lexi Thompson (65) of Florida and South Korean Jenny Shin (68).

No. 2-ranked Stacy Lewis shot a 70 and now shares eighth at 8-under 136 with fellow American Christina Kim (66), Japan's Haru Nomura (65), England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff (67), Norway's Suzann Pettersen (70) and South Koreans Se Ri Pak (68) and Eun-Hee Ji (70).

Top-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea posted disappointing rounds of 74 and 76 to miss the cut of 2-under 142. Lewis can take over the No. 1 position from Park with a high finish this week.

Defending champion Jennifer Johnson has shot rounds of 71 and 69 to qualify for the weekend.

No. 3-ranked Lydia Ko isn't playing the Airbus LPGA Classic. Also taking the week off is Lizette Salas, who won the Kingsmill Championship last Sunday for her first LPGA title.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.