Lincicome Up by Three in LPGA Championship


Brittany Lincicome followed up her opening 5-under 67 with a 68 to take a three-stroke lead in the LPGA Championship. The $2.3 million major began Thursday at Monroe Golf Club in Pittsford, N.Y.

The 28-year-old Lincicome, a four-time winner on the LPGA Tour, carded three birdies, an eagle on the par-5 14th hole and a bogey to reach 9-under 135, three ahead of South Korea's Inbee Park (66) and Lexi Thompson.

Park won the tournament last year - one of her five victories, and two majors - in 2013.

Park won the tournament last year - one of her five victories and two majors - in 2013. On Friday the 26-year-old recorded five birdies, an eagle on the 14th and a bogey.

Thompson shared the 18-hole lead with South Korea's Meena Lee, but the 19-year-old Floridian couldn't get much going Friday, posting three birdies and a like number of bogeys.

Four behind Lincicome is 17-year-old New Zealander Lydia Ko (69), Korean Meena Lee (73) and American Jane Park (69).

Ko was pleased with her play Friday. "I'm just trying to take the game as it is. I'm still playing the same sport and just enjoying it. I've put myself in a good position compared to last year. I kind of just made the cut and tried to go from there," said Ko, who can supplant Stacy Lewis as the top-ranked player in women's golf with a victory this week.

Five back in a tie for seventh at 4-under 140 are Paraguay's Julieta Granada (65), Norway's Suzann Pettersen (69), American Jennifer Johnson (70), Spain's Beatriz Recari (70), China's Shanshan Feng (72) and South Korean Mirim Lee (71).

Mirim Lee notched her maiden win in last week's Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.

Gerina Piller (69), Azahara Munoz (70) and Paula Reto (71) are tied for 13th at 3-under 141. Among the players at 142 are reigning Women's British Open champion Mo Martin, who's posted rounds of 72 and 70.

Lewis has shot rounds of 71 and 73 to get to even-par 144.

The 36-hole cut was set at 2-over 146.

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