Red-Hot Lewis Forges Three-Stroke Edge in Honda LPGA Thailand


Stacy Lewis fired an 8-under 64 to take a three-stroke lead in the Honda LPGA Thailand. The event began Thursday on the Pataya Old Course at Siam Country Club.

After starting with a 66, the 30-year-old Lewis reeled off eight birdies for a 36-hole total of 14-under 130, three clear of South Korean Amy Yang (66).

''It really was a pretty easy day,'' said Lewis, who recorded four birdies on each the front and back nines. ''I didn't cause myself too much stress.''

Lewis, the No. 3-ranked player in the world after Lydia Ko and Inbee Park, began the second round tied for the lead with fellow American Brittany Lang and Taiwan's Yani Tseng, who both fell off the pace after rounds of 73 and 72, respectively.

Trailing Lewis by four are Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn (69), Germany's Caroline Masson (66) and South Koreans Mirim Lee (69) and Jenny Shin (66).

Germany's Sandra Gal (66) American Cristie Kerr (69) and Scotland's Catriona Matthew (66) are tied for seventh at 7-under 137.

Defending champion Anna Nordqvist followed up her opening 72 with a 70 and stands eight strokes behind Lewis heading into the weekend. Park had a 74 to fall into a tie for 42nd at 144.

The 17-year-old Ko, who won last week's Women's Australian Open, isn't entered this week.

For full scoring details, visit http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard.