Tseng races into lead

Rookie Yani Tseng, from Taiwan, shot a fantastic eight-under-par 64 to soar into the lead at the halfway stage of the Ginn Open at the Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The 19-year-old had nine birdies in the first 15 holes and dropped her only shot at the 18th to post a 12-under 132 total to lead by two from Norway’s Suzann Pettersen.

World number one Lorena Ochoa, who had a 67, and Finland’s Minea Blomqvist, with a 66, shared third place on nine under par.

It was a tough day for Scot Mhairi McKay, who was just a shot off the lead after an opening 68.

She slipped 11 strokes behind Tseng after a 75, struggling to the turn in 40 and making two second half birdies before dropping a shot at the last.

England’s Karen Stupples, helped by an eagle at the long ninth, had a 69 and moved into a share of 10th on five under to be the leading British player.

Laura Davies, third last year, slipped down the field to level par after adding a 74 to her opening round of 70.

Tseng turned professional just 15 months ago but has already won the Indian Open and a tournament on last year’s Canadian Tour.

In just five starts on this year’s LPGA she has already had two top 10s, including a second place in the Mastercard Classic in Mexico last month.

In blustery conditions she birdied the opening hole and then made four in a row from the third and three in a run form the ninth. Her final birdie in halves of 30 and 34 came at the 15th.

Pettersen, a five-time winner on Tour last season, and Blomqvist, a winner in Hungary as a rookie on the Ladies’ European Tour four years ago, both bagged seven birdies to boost the European challenge.

Ochoa, seeking a fourth win in five starts this year, had a flawless round of five birdies as she aimed to go one better than last year’s second place.