Second round leader Maja Stark, who is chasing a second title on the LPGA Tour, carded a six-under-par 66 for a one-shot lead at the Maybank Championship on Friday (Oct 25) being played at the KLGCC in Kuala Lumpur. - The Star/Asia News Network
SWEDEN's Maja Stark provided a sterling display and carded a six-under-par 66 for a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of a rain-interrupted LPGA Maybank Championship at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Friday (Oct 25).
American Marina Alex, Taiwanese Hsu Wei-ling and the South Korean pair of An Na-rin and Ryu Hae-ran were in a share of second.
On a gloomy day, the top of the leaderboard exchanged hands several times and play stopped for over two hours because of rain.
The 24-year-old Stark, who is chasing a second title on the LPGA Tour, is not looking too much into her slender lead.
But Stark said she was used to the weather as she had encountered such situation in last year's Maybank Championship where she finished tied 20th in that tournament.
"I do look at leaderboards, but I don't know, feels like it's been so long since I was in this position so I don't remember," she said.
"I'm just going to try not to freak out if people are passing me and just keep my cool."
Stark seized the sole lead courtesy of seven birdies against one bogey.
She is 12-under after two rounds, having also carded a 66 on Thursday.
"Today, It went very well. I think I was pretty solid off the tee. Had a lot of short irons. Then it was -- I've been struggling a bit with my putting this whole year, but I feel like I really had an easier time seeing the lines here than I usually do.
"The main thing now is to continue playing well and keep getting good scores. The conditions are just about the same like last year.
"I got to prepare for that too (the weather and conditions). I just need to drink more, try to eat more. But I have been struggling, so I'm just trying to save some energy," added Maja.
Alex of the United States, who held the lead briefly, shot an eight-under-par 64.
She finished her round with a flourish -- an eagle sandwiched between two birdies in the final three holes.
"That closing stretch of holes was really solid, kind of propelled me up the leaderboard," she said.
South An Na-rin shares the second spot with three other players after the second round of the tournament.
An, too, is in the hunt after turning in a 67. The highlight of her round included a beautiful chipped finish on the third hole for the first of six birdies.
"Yesterday and today was good, my shots with the putter was working welll and that's why I made birdies today. Well you know, I have to keep on being more focused and if I can keep it up for thr next two days, we will see what comes out of it," said the determined An.
The congested leaderboard also sees South Korean Choi Hye-jin and China's Yin Ruoning lie just two shots off Stark, with Australian Gabriela Ruffels a further shot back.
Overnight leader Mao Saigo of Japan dropped to tied-13th after a second-round 74.
Defending champion Celine Boutier from France is tied for ninth with three other players. Thai star Jeeno Thitikul, who lost the the title here last year after a playoff defeat to Boutier, is also in the same group at tied-ninth spot together with American Kristen Gillman and Filipino top player Bianca Pagdanganan.
Leading second-round scores at the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur golf and Country Club, Malaysia (par 72):
132 - Maja Stark (SWE) 66-66
133 - Hsu Wei-ling (TPE) 65-68, Ryu Hae-ran (KOR) 64-69, An Na-rin (KOR) 66-67, Marina Alex (USA) 69-64
134 - Choi Hye-jin (KOR) 68-66, Yin Ruoning (CHN) 67-67
135 - Gabriela Ruffels (AUS) 69-66
136 - Celine Boutier (FRA) 67-69, Atthaya Thitikul (THA) 67-69, Kristen Gillman (USA) 66-70, Bianca Pagdanganan (PHI) 70-66
137 - Natalia Guseva (RUS) 67-70, Amy Yang (KOR) 66-71, Mao Saigo (JPN) 63-74, Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) 69-68, Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 68-69, Chanettee Wannasaen (THA) 67-70, Liu Ruixin (CHN) 65-72
138 - Wichanee Meechai (THA) 67-71, Gemma Dryburgh (SCO) 67-71 139 - Pajaree Anannarukarn (THA) 69-70, Bailey Tardy (USA) 69-70, Lucy Li (USA) 69-70, Allisen Corpuz (USA) 70-69, Sarah Schmelzel (USA) 69-70
