Park & Ciganda Now Set Pace in Singapore


Carlota Ciganda fired a 6-under 66 to join 18-hole co-leader Inbee Park atop the leaderboard at the halfway point of the HSBC Women's Champions. The $1.4 million LPGA Tour event began Thursday on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.

Ciganda, a 24-year-old from Pamplona, posted eight birdies and two bogeys to tie South Korea's Park, who had a 69, at 9-under 135, two strokes ahead of fellow Spaniard, Azahara Munoz (67).

Ciganda said later that having her father nearby this week has been a big help. "He's been a really good influence to me my whole life and when he comes he's very positive and when I'm playing good," she said. "He's always telling me to have fun out there, to enjoy playing golf."

After carding 13 straight pars, Park birdied three of the final five holes to match Ciganda. "Overall, everything tee-to-green was perfect today as well," said Park, currently ranked No. 2 in the world to New Zealand teenager, Lydia Ko. "I missed about nine, 10 opportunities (for birdie). I hit the ball great today, but it could have been a much better day.

"None of my putts wanted to drop today," added Park. "It could have been a better day but I'm really satisfied the way I finished, especially bogey-free through two days is a great result."

Ko shares fourth place at 138 with No. 3 Stacy Lewis (69), South Korean Jenny Shin (70) and Australia's Karrie Webb (70).

The 17-year-old Ko had five birdies, a bogey and a double on the par-4 13th hole for a 70. "It was one of the craziest rounds in my life, and I don't think I should go too much in detail about it," she said later.

Tied for eighth at 139 are Anna Nordqvist, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Suzann Pettersen, So Yeon Ryu, Jessica Korda and Caroline Masson.

Former No. 1 Yani Tseng, who began the second round tied for the lead with Park after a 66, dropped into a tie for 17th at 141 after a birdie-less 75.

Defending champion Paula Creamer followed up her opening 74 with a 71.

There is no 36-hole cut in the tournament, which boasts the top 63 players in the world from the previous season. The winner will take home $210,000.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/hsbc-womens-champions/leaderboard.