Feng's lead cut to one in Weihai

Chinese No 1 Feng Shanhan plays a shot during the second round of the Kumho Tire Ladies Open on Saturday. [Photo provided to China Daily]

WEIHAI, Shandong - China's Feng Shanshan did just enough to hold off the Korean charge at the Kumho Tire Ladies Open on Saturday as the World No 6 carded a one-over 73 for a one stroke lead through two rounds in Shandong province.

With overnight leader Feng sitting at five-under 139 at Weihai Point, Koreans Choi Yoo-lim (71), Park Bo-mi2 (68), Park You-na (64) and Jeong Hye-won (72) were equal second. Fellow Koreans Lee Solar (69), An Na-rin (72) and Lee Ji-hoo (72) were two shots off the pace at the China LPGA Tour-LPGA Tour of Korea co-sanctioned event.

With a two-shot lead going into her round, Feng got to seven-under with a birdie three at the second hole before carding three bogeys to make the turn at 38 in the sunny but windy conditions. On the back nine she held it together with a string of pars and a lone birdie at the 345-yard 15th hole to reclaim her lead.

“I made a couple of mistakes early in the second round where I posted some bogeys but I am happy with the finish where I made a birdie and came back,” said the Guangdong native who will vie for her second Major title next week at the US Women’s Open in New Jersey.

“This is a good warm-up for the final round. Maybe it will also be windy tomorrow. I think the key is the mental side. I have been a LPGA member for 10 years. I’m confident I can handle it and win my sponsor’s event.”

Also look for a win is Park You-na who shot a course record eight-under 64. Her round included 10 birdies and two bogeys.

“I’m happy to have my lowest score here. I didn’t think that I made so many birdies at this round. Obviously I’m excited now. Two of my uncles are based in Qingdao and every year they come here to support me. I’m grateful for this,” said the 30-year-old veteran. “The only win I have on the KLPGA is five years ago. Hopefully I can remember to win and repeat it on Sunday.”

Also holding a hot hand was Park Bo-mi2. Starting her early morning round on Weihai Point’s back nine at even par, she came out blazing in registering seven consecutive birdies, a personal best. But the 23-year-old could not maintain her momentum on the front nine in stumbling to a double-bogey six and two bogeys before closing with a birdie three at the ninth hole.

“I’ve had had three birdies in a row before, but never seven birdies in a row. I felt a little bit disappointed on missing the (KLPGA) record of eight birdies in a row, but I was really happy about my career best,” she said.

“My goal was top 10 entering this week and that didn’t change even with this fantastic position. Enjoying my game is the top priority tomorrow.” World No 13 Jang Ha-na finished her Saturday round with a strong back nine that featured an eagle three at the 10th and three birdies for a 73, but missed the cut by two strokes.