Lee Maintains Lead in Malaysia


Ilhee Lee followed up her opening 7-under 64 with a 65 to keep a one-stroke lead in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. The $2 million event began Thursday at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

Lee, a 24-year-old who now lives in Dallas, fired five birdies on the front nine and tacked on two more on the back Friday. Her only dropped shot of the tournament came when she bogeyed the par-5 16th.

Lee, who stands at 13-under 129, is looking for her second victory of the year after winning the Bahamas Classic in May.

"I tried to do exactly the same thing as yesterday," Lee told reporters afterward. "So my goal was 3 under par today. Then, yeah, I putted good and made more, so it was fun."

Lexi Thompson charged into second following a 63 that included six birdies, an eagle on the par-4 14th and a lone bogey. "On the back nine, I made a few birdies and then I had that eagle, so I pretty much just had it going my way. I just tried to keep confident out there," said the 18-year-old Floridian.

The winner last week in Beijing, Shanshan Feng, is in third place at 132 following a 65. The Chinese player had a spotless card with three birdies on each of the front and back nines. "On the back nine, I made a few birdies and then I had that eagle, so I pretty much just had it going my way. I just tried to keep confident out there."

South Korea's I.K. Kim (66) and American Paula Creamer (67) share fourth at 133. Amy Yang of South Korea carded Friday's low round, a 9-under 62, to move into a tie for sixth at 134 with Japan's Mamiko Higa (66).

"I would say it was a great round, you know?," Yang said. "First of all, it was a great round. But I've shot 10 under before, but it was the Mini Tour, but this is my best on the LPGA Tour, and it feels great."

Defending champion Inbee Park opened with a 70 and needed one more stroke Friday. The world's No. 1-ranked female player hasn't gotten untracked yet in the tournament, carding five birdies and four bogeys over two rounds.

There's no 36-hole cut in the 72-player field.

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