Lewis stays in front in Thailand

Last updated: 22nd February 2013

Stacy Lewis held on to her three-shot lead after the second round of the LPGA Thailand.

The American followed up her opening-round 63 at Siam Country Club with a three-under-par 69 to take her total to 12 under par, three strokes clear of Thai teenager Ariya Jutanugarn, who hit a flawless 66.

Korean So Yeon Ryu carded a second successive 68 to lie on eight under, four shots back, tied with Scotland's Catriona Matthew (69) and Spain's Beatriz Recari (68).

Another Korean, Se Ri Pak, follows a further shot back after a 68 alongside American Lizette Salas (69).

Lewis, the world number three, mixed five birdies with two bogeys in her round, though the day arguably belongted to Jutanugarn, who started the day six shots behind the leader but halved the deficit after a six-birdie round that featured some hot putting.

She will pair up with Lewis on Saturday in front of her home crowd in Pattaya.

"It's always hard to follow up a really good day. I definitely left a few out there," Lewis said.

"I didn't hit it as good today but I made some putts on the back nine and still have a three-shot lead, so I can't complain.

"I think tomorrow is going to be even crazier being in the last group and she's (Ariya) kind of the rising star from here, and I think she's going to be a great player. You have to watch out for her just like anybody else."

Elsewhere, 15-year-old New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko finished the day on four under after a 71, eight shots off the pace, while world number one Yani Tseng added a much healthier 68 to her opening 75 to lie on one under.