Park in Front at Miejer LPGA Classic


Inbee Park fired a second straight 5-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead heading into the weekend at the Miejer LPGA Classic. The $1.5 million, 72-hole LPGA Tour event is taking place at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Mich.

After posting six birdies and a bogey Thursday, the 26-year-old South Korean added five more birdies Friday for a two-day total of 10-under 132, a shot ahead of Norway's Suzann Pettersen, who matched Friday's low round of 7-under 64.

One stroke further down the leaderboard is Mirim Lee, who also carded a 64, while three behind is another South Korean, Amy Yang (67).

After winning five titles - including three majors - last year to establish herself as the top-ranked female golfer in the world, Park has slipped a bit in 2014, though she did win the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in early June. Park currently ranks third, behind American Stacy Lewis and New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko.

Ko (68) shares fifth at 137 with Japan's Haru Nomura (67), Denmark's Line Vedel (69), Australia's Katherine Kirk (70) and first-round leader Sandra Gal, who went from a 65 Thursday to a 72 a day later.

Tied for 10th at 138 are China's Shanshan Feng (69), Spain's Azahara Munoz, Italy's Giulia Molinaro (67) and American Gerina Piller (70).

Lewis has posted rounds of 70 and 72 for an even-par 142 total, 10 strokes behind Park.

The 36-hole cut was set at 2-over 144. Among those heading home is Jessica Korda, who, despite shooting a 70, couldn't overcome an opening 75.

After 2014 U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie withdrew midway through the first round because of a hand injury, another reigning major champion pulled out before the start of the second round. Women's British Open winner Mo Martin opened with a 72 but withdrew for unspecified reasons Friday morning.

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