Hee Young Park in Front of Rain-Delayed Kingsmill Championship


Though not everyone finished their second rounds due to a three-and-a-half-hour delay caused by heavy overnight rains, South Korea's Hee Young Park found herself atop the leaderboard of the Kingsmill Championship at the end of Friday. The $1.3 million, 72-hole LPGA Tour event got underway Thursday on the River Course at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va.

Park, a 26-year-old with two LPGA victories to her credit, has carded rounds of 66 and 68 to reach 8-under 134. She's a stroke ahead of No. 2-ranked Stacy Lewis, who followed up her opening 70 with a stellar 65, and Brittany Lang (67, 68).

Also at 7-under are Americans Lexi Thompson and Lizette Salas and Spain's Azahara Munoz. Thompson and Munoz only made it through 13 holes, while Salas completed 11 holes before darkness descended on the course.

After posting six birdies and a bogey Thursday, Park tacked on four more birdies - and a bogey - Friday. She's relaxed this week after the gap in the LPGA's schedule gave all the players a week off. "Last week I rested like whole week, so I can I think more focus on the course and I'm ready," she told reporters.

Lewis said she was much more pleased with her second round than her first. "Definitely have a better feeling coming off the course today," the nine-time winner said. "Just feel like I played a lot more solid, hit the ball better, definitely had more control going into the greens. I think less wind helped there. Just stayed really patient and made a few putts, and added up to a pretty good score."

Lewis, who won the LPGA's previous event, the North Texas LPGA Shootout two weeks ago, is looking forward to the weekend. "I'm excited," she added. "This is a position I love to be in. I love giving myself a chance to win. I'm right where I need to be. I just got to keep staying patient and get a few putts to fall."

There are five players at 5-under, and another three at 4-under. Among those in the latter group is defending champion Cristie Kerr, who has shot 67 and 71, and former No. 1 Yani Tseng (68, 70).

No. 1-ranked Inbee Park isn't playing this week. No. 3 Lydia Ko opened with a 70 and was 1-under through 12 holes.

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