Kim Sei-Young grabs LPGA lead in Phoenix

South Korean Kim Sei-Young had two eagles in a six-under par 66 to grab a two-stroke lead over American Brittany Lang at the LPGA Founders Cup in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kim and Lang, who had dueled for the lead early on Thursday, again found themselves battling in the second round, trading the lead before Kim emerged in front with a 36-hole total of 15-under 129.

It was Kim's second eagle of the day, at the par-five 15th, that put her in front for good.

Her second shot with a five-iron was on line all the way, leaving her with a seven-footer for the eagle.

"I feel not bad because, before the first round, I was like uncomfortable because I couldn't trust myself," said Kim, who also had three birdies and a bogey. "After this round, I got confidence."

Kim had reason to feel good about her game after opening with a birdie then rolling in a 25-foot eagle at the second hole.
"Hole two, I got the second shot 200 to the pin. I pick up the five-wood, try the shot because it's downwind. I have to make it stay in the bowl because the greens are very firm. So it was good work," she said.

Kim has held at least a share of the 36-hole lead five times in her career, going on to win three of those events in 2015.

Lang teed off on 10 and took sole possession of the lead at 14-under par with her fourth birdie of the day, at the par-four third hole.

She gave a shot back with her only bogey of the day at the seventh, finishing with a 68 that left her on 131.

"I hit a ton of good shots," Lang said. "It was tough with the wind at times. The key was just patience, knocking a few in there and getting some confidence early."
American Jacqui Concolino and Italy's Giulia Sergas shared third on 132. Concolino carded a 64 and Sergas signed for a 68.

They were one stroke in front of South Korean Ji Eun-Hee (67) and American Gerina Piller (68).

First round leader Lee Mi-Hyang who scorched the Wildfire Golf Club course with a 10-under par 62 on Thursday, couldn't keep up the torrid pace and signed for a three-over par 75.

That left her in a group of 15 players sharing 25th on 137 that also included world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand and South Korean great Pak Se-Ri -- who said on Thursday that 2016 would be her last competitive season.

With a cutline of three-under par, several marquee names will be missing at the weekend, including world number two Park In-Bee -- who missed her first cut of 2016 -- and two-time Founders Cup winner Karrie Webb of Australia.
Source: AFP