Nordqvist Keeps Lead in Thailand


Anna Nordqvist followed up her opening 6-under 66 with an even-par 72 to retain the lead in the Honda LPGA Thailand. The $1.5 million, 72-hole event started Thursday at Siam Country Club's Pattaya Old Course.

Though there wasn't enough of it to postpone play, rainfall caused scores to soar in the second round. Only 22 players in the field broke par, and Nordqvist wasn't among them. Though she had three birdies and a like number of bogeys, the 26-year-old Swede was still pleased with where she stands heading into the weekend.

"I hit it good yesterday and kept hitting it really good on the first nine today," she said. "Then there were some tougher pins in the back, but I just tried to be aggressive and give myself chances for birdie. Felt like I did, but just couldn't make them.

"I'm excited. This is a position I've been practicing to be in. Hopefully, I can make a couple of more putts over the weekend and that should take care of it."

At 6-under 138, Nordqvist is a stroke ahead of Paraguayan Julieta Granada, who carded a 68, Spain's Azahara Munoz (68) and Germany's Sandra Gal (70).

Granada's 68 matched the low round of a rugged day exacerbated by the tough pin placements. "We had a whole lot of rain on the front nine so I had to concentrate," Granada said. "I like the course. You have to play well and hit good shots and that's what I did today."

Two Americans share fifth at 140 - Stacy Lewis and Michelle Wie, who shot 69 and 73, respectively, and another stroke back are Australia's Karrie Webb (70), South Korean So Yeon Ryu (72) and Americans Jennifer Johnson and Angela Stanford, who each carded 73s.

Lydia Ko (70) is four behind Nordqvist along with Brittany Lang (69), Jenny Shin (70), No. 1-ranked Inbee Park (71), Caroline Hedwall (73), No. 2 Suzann Pettersen (73) and Lexi Thompson (74).

There is no 36-hole cut in the 70-player tournament.

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