Alex dreams of maiden win after taking Manulife lead

Marina Alex fired an eagle on her final hole to take a one-shot lead following the second round of the Manulife LPGA Classic.

Alex, the world number 139, upstaged a powerful field with an eight-under-par 64 to move to 10 under for the tournament at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ontario.

The 2013 rookie's round left her dreaming of a maiden tour victory. Her 36-hole lead was the first time she has ever led a tournament in three years as a professional.

"I've been close. At that point whether you're the last group, second-to-last, third-to-last, it's all kind of the same. I have a little bit of experience there, so it'll be good," said Alex, who got off to a flying start with four birdies in her first seven holes.

Four more birdies and an eagle on the last catapulted her clear of Thailand's P.K. Kongkraphan and South Korea's Kim Hyo-Joo, who are one back at nine under.

Kongkraphan also made a strong start, reeling off a trio of birdies on her opening three holes and three more on the back nine in a blemish-free six-under-par 66.

"I feel very comfortable and very confident this week. My coach is here," said Kongkraphan. 

Kim meanwhile followed her first round 68 with another solid effort, a five-under-par 67, scrambling brilliantly to record a birdie on her final hole to stay in touch.

In-form Thai star Ariya Jutanugarn is lurking menacingly however heading into the weekend, shooting a four-under-par 68 which left her four off the lead at six under.

World number one Lydia Ko though saw her challenge falter with an erratic round that included five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey.

It left the New Zealand youngster tied for 44th position on two under, eight off the lead.

Source: AFP