Lewis Continues to Set Pace in China


Stacy Lewis followed up her opening 7-under 66 with a 68 to forge a two-stroke lead halfway through the Reignwood LPGA Classic. The 72-hole, $2.1 million event got underway Thursday at Reignwood Pine Valley Golf Club in Beijing, China.

After posting seven birdies in the first round, the 29-year-old Lewis tacked on six more - along with her first dropped shot of the tournament, a bogey on the par-4 first hole - to reach 12-under 134, two shots ahead of fellow American Brittany Lang (66).

"It was a day that I just had to stay patient," said Lewis, No. 1 in the Rolex Ranking in search of her fourth title of the year. "Didn't quite hit the shots around the greens that I needed to."

Trailing by four are Germany's Caroline Masson (68), Spain's Belen Mozo (69), Sweden's Caroline Hedwall (71) and South Korean Mirim Lee (68). Five behind are China's Yanhong Pan (68) and Korean Ilhee Lee (70).

No. 2-ranked Inbee Park carded a 1-under 72 to drop into a share of 12th at 5-under 141 with six others. Park, a two-time winner this season, can supplant Lewis at No. 1 with a win this week and if Lewis finishes third or lower on the leaderboard.

Mi Jung Hur, the winner of the LPGA's previous tournament, the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic two weeks ago, opened with a 73 and had a 71 Friday in the no-cut tournament.

After starting with a 75, defending champion and local favorite Shanshan Feng had a 71 and is now at even-par 146 heading into the final two rounds.

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