THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
YANG MEI, Taiwan — Azahara Munoz of Spain shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to share the lead with Anna Nordqvist of Sweden after the second round of the inaugural LPGA Taiwan Championship.
Nordqvist shot a 68 to sit tied with Munoz on 7-under 137, two shots ahead of hometown favourite Yani Tseng and fellow Taiwanese Candie Kung.
Munoz eagled the sixth hole and added four birdies in a bogey-free round. Nordqvist mixed five birdies with one bogey.
"I was hitting the ball really well. I missed a few greens but I was still putting," Munoz said. "I putted 18 times today, so I gave myself a lot of chances. I made a nice eagle on six, so that helped, too."
The 22-year-old Tseng shared the overnight lead but only managed a 71 on Friday at the Sunrise Golf and Country Club. Tseng has been cheered on by large and exuberant crowd, although a few fans apparently haven’t read up on golf etiquette.
"It’s the first time in my life that I’ve seen so many people all over the golf course," Tseng said. "Between the fifth and sixth hole, I was about the hit the ball, and someone took a photo. The timing is actually wrong you can take photos before or after we hit a ball, but we hope they can do everything to avoid that while we’re hitting."
American Katie Futcher (70) was among three players tied for fifth, another shot behind.
Kung put herself in contention with a 68 that included five birdies and a lone bogey, and said she hopes to overtake the more famous Tseng.
"It’s golf, so anything can happen," the 91st-ranked Kung said. "I’m more like a big sister for her (Tseng) and very happy for her. To make this tournament possible, she played a big part."
Inspired in part by Tseng’s recent slew of victories, this is the first time the LPGA has staged a tournament in Taiwan.