Rookie Brooke Henderson of Canada posted a course-record 7-under-par 65 and took a two-stroke lead over Na Yeon Choi of South Korea midway through the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, on the outskirts of San Francisco.
The 17-year-old Henderson, playing in her second PGA Tour event as a pro, followed an opening 70 by recording six birdies and an eagle on the 14th hole, taking her only bogey at No. 5.
“It was a lot of fun out there,” said Henderson, who won two events on the Canadian Women’s Tour as an amateur and has two victories on the mini-tours. “I hit a lot of good shots and I got very lucky. I got some good bounces out there, which is always nice, and was able to make a few putts.
“Playing as an amateur (on the LPGA Tour) definitely helps. I think this is probably my 10th or so event. I’m getting to know what the atmosphere is like a little bit more and getting to know the players a little bit better, too, helps, being able to have a conversation with them instead of just admiring them from afar.”
Henderson, who has no status on any pro tour is playing on a sponsor’s exemption.
Choi, who has won eight times on the LPGA Tour including the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open, followed a 69 with a 68 that also included an eagle on No. 14 to go with three birdies.
Sakura Yokomine of Japan carded a bogey free 67 and was three shots back in a tie for third with Yuer Cindy Feng of China, who had six birdies in a 68.
Defending champion and top-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who held the first round lead with a 65, carded a 72 on her 18th birthday and was four shots back in a tie for fifth with Min Seo Kwak of South Korea, who had a 67, Julieta Granada of Paraguay, who finished at 69, and Ha Na Jang of South Korea, who wound up at 71.
Stacy Lewis, who finished one stroke behind Ko in this tournament last year, shot 71 and was another stroke behind in a tie for ninth with Tiffany Joh of San Diego and UCLA, who posted a 70, Amy Yang of South Korea, who totaled 68, and Shanshan Feng of China, who came in at 70.
