Uribe Replaces Ko atop Women's Australian Open Leaderboard


Mariajo Uribe followed up her opening 9-under 64 with a 67 to rise to take over the lead in the Women's Australian Open. The LPGA Tour's season opener began Thursday at Royal Canberra Golf Club.

After posting seven birdies and an eagle Thursday, the 22-year-old from Colombia added six more birdies Friday. She hasn't dropped a shot yet in reaching a 36-hole total of 15-under 131 and forging a one-shot lead.

"I believe in things that are meant to be and I feel it's meant to be for me to play good this week," Uribe said. "Hopefully it stays like that for the weekend."

South Korea's Jiyai Shin moved into a tie for second with 15-year-old Lydia Ko, who led after the first round following a 10-under 63. Shin has posted rounds of 65 and 67, while Ko, an amateur from New Zealand with three wins on professional tours, shot a 69 Friday.

Ko carded 11 birdies, an eagle and three bogeys for her 63. After starting with four birdies in her first seven holes Friday, the teenage sensation - who won the LPGA Tour's Canadian Women's Open last August, cooled down, carding only a birdie and a bogey and the rest pars for her 69.

"Four-under is a pretty good score out there," Ko said of her second round. "It's not an easy golf course. It is a pretty good score for me . . . I putted well out there and played well."

Ko was in the marquee pairing of No. 1-ranked Yani Tseng and Michelle Wie. Tseng posted rounds of 68 and 71, while Wie - who missed the cut in 10 of 23 starts last year - missed a cut again after shooting a 74 and 73.

Five strokes back of Uribe in solo fourth is Aussie Kristie Smith, who's shot two straight 5-under 68s, while another stroke back is Spain's Beatriz Recari (68, 69).

Defending champion Jessica Korda of Florida has posted rounds of 70 and 69 to reach 7-under 139 and a tie for eight with, among others, Tseng.

The cut was set at 1-under 145. Among those qualifying for the weekend is Australian Karrie Webb. The Golf Hall of Fame member shot rounds of 71 and 74 to make the cut right on the number.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.