Choi two shots clear in Ohio

South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi followed up her seven-under-par first-round 64 with a 67 on Friday to hold a two-shot lead at the midway point of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in Sylvania, Ohio.

The 22-year-old’s bogey-free second round included four birdies and saw her move onto 11 under overall at Highland Meadows Golf Club, banishing memories of last week’s missed cut at the LPGA Championship.

She will head into the weekend two strokes clear of compatriot Inbee Park (66), American Christina Kim (67) and Canada’s Alena Sharp (68).

“I had confidence out there with my friend Inbee Park,” said Choi. “We enjoyed it. No bogeys today, so I feel perfect out there.

“I feel good about my swing and putter, so I had a lot of confidence. I just played one shot at a time.”

Two more Koreans, Song-Hee Kim and In-Kyung Kim, were five shots adrift of Choi in a tie for fifth along with Spain’s Beatriz Recari and the American trio of Stacy Prammanasudh, Stacy Lewis and Kristy McPherson.