Mirim Lee of South Korea posted a 5-under-par 67 and held a two-stroke lead over fellow rookie Lydia Ko of New Zealand after two rounds of the JTBC Founders Cup at Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz.
Lee, seeking her first LPGA Tour victory, was even par through 10 holes before playing the last eight holes in 5-under, with three birdies and an eagle on the 15th hole.
“I played a little boring on the front nine, so I went more aggressive on the back nine,” Lee, who has three victories on the Korean LPGA Tour, said through a translator.
“It worked well, so now I plan on being aggressive the rest of the week.”
Ko, who claimed four of her five victories in professional events while still an amateur, had a similar day. She was at even par through 11 holes before collecting four birdies and an eagle down the stretch to card a 66.
Sun-Young Yoo of South Korea equaled the low round of the day with a 65 and was alone in third, while Jessica Korda recorded a 66 to tie for fourth with three South Koreans — Chella Choi, who also had a 66, So Yeon Ryu, who shot 67, and top-ranked Inbee Park, who came in at 69.
