Three Share Lead in Marathon Classic


A trio of players has risen to the top of the leaderboard in the Marathon Classic. The $1.3 million LPGA Tour event - the former Jamie Farr Toledo Classic - is being held at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio.

Perched at 8-under 134 over 36 holes are Spain's Beatriz Recari, who carded a 6-under 65, and Americans Paula Creamer (68) and Alison Walshe. Walshe, who began the second round as the 18-hole leader after opening with a 65, shot 69 Friday. One stroke back is American Jacqui Concolino, who had a 68.

Creamer, who won the tournament in 2008, said the course didn't yield the same low scores as seen on Thursday. "You know, the breeze definitely was picking up," said the nine-time LPGA winner "I know in the morning it was pretty dead yesterday. A little bit of breeze in the afternoon. But it was a different golf course today.

"It was getting a little bit firmer and some of the pin placements were a little tougher than they were yesterday, so a little bit harder to get close to the hole."

The 26-year-old Recari had no problems with the windier conditions, however, as the 26-year-old from Pamplona carded six birdies, an eagle on the par-4 15th hole, and two bogeys. Recari made her eagle after holing out from around 150 yards.

"It was either 150 or 152 to the pin," said the two-time LPGA winner. "It was slightly to the left. It was like a 7:00 (o'clock) wind direction. It was an 8 iron. It was really fitting my eye, because I normally see the tiny draw. (The pin) was on the left and it was perfect to cancel the wind.

"I saw it land and I saw that it was the right distance with the amount of wind that was helping. I saw it land and I saw that it was obviously taking the direction toward the pin. I knew it was going to be a good shot. I didn't now it was going to go in, but I felt good and it was a good shot. Yeah, I took two shots on that hole instead of one. So it's always good to have."

Two strokes behind the leaders at 136 are New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko (67), Japan's Chie Arimura (67) and No. 1-ranked Inbee Park (69). "I didn't have a really good start," said Park, who carded five birdies and three bogeys. "I started with bogey today, but I really play well rest of the day. I'm putting really good this week

"My putting has gotten a lot better than last week, so that's really a good positive to take on.Still working a little bit on my swing. I guess I see progress a little bit, so on the weekend hopefully I hit it a little bit better," added the 25-year-old South Korean, who in 2013 has racked up six wins - including the first three majors of the year.

Three off the pace are England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff (68), South Korean So Yeon Ryu (69) and Floridian Lexi Thompson, who posted a 71.

The cut was set at 2-over 144. Among those heading home is erstwhile No. 1 Yani Tseng. The Taiwanese player shot rounds of 75 and 74.

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