Haru Nomura of Japan missed the morning raindrops in the second round of the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.
Nomura played in the afternoon wave and rode the wind to a 2-under par 70 that gave her a three-stroke lead over three players in windy conditions at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City on the outskirts of San Francisco.
“Today was very windy, so I thought today’s best score even par, I think,” said Nomura, who has won four times as a pro, including her first LPGA Tour victory earlier this season in the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.
“So I keep my patience, I’m so relaxed, and a couple putts in, and that’s it. … I’d like to have as many as I can, so the second win (on the LPGA Tour) is pretty much a big deal.”
Nomura started with 11 consecutive pars before making two straight birdies, added another at No. 17 and had her only bogey on the 16th hole.
Minjee Lee of Australia posted a bogey-free 65, low round of the day, and was tied for second with South Koreans Na Yeon Choi, who totaled 70, and So Yeon Ryu, the first-round leader who followed her course-record 63 with a 75 that included bogeys on four of the first five holes.
“I think this tournament is definitely one of the major quality golf courses,” said Choi, who has nine LPGA Tour victories, including the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open. “If the greens are more firm and fast, it’s definitely like a U.S. Women’s Open.
“I’m always happy to be back at this golf course. To be honest, I always enjoy playing challenging golf courses, which suits my game, so I cannot wait to play the next two days.”
Two-time defending champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand had two late bogeys in a 71 and was four shots behind in a tie for fifth with Karine Icher of France, who had a 68, Gerina Piller, who finished at 69, and Brittany Lang, who came in at 70.
Julie Yang of South Korea posted a 68 and was another shot down in a tie for ninth with Lee-Anne Pace of South Korea, who wound up at 69, Mi Hyang Lee of South Korea, who had a 71, and Catriona Matthew of Scotland, who recorded a 72.
Local favorite Paula Creamer of Pleasanton shot 72-78–150 and missed the cut along with Alison Lee of Valencia and UCLA, who totaled 77-75–152.
