Ciganda shares LPGA Champs lead

Carlota Ciganda carded a five-under-par 67 to move into a share of the lead at the LPGA Tour Championship following Friday’s second round.

The 24-year-old Spaniard is in a tie for the lead at seven-under alongside Julieta Granada (71), who led the event after the first round.

Ciganda has four victories so far in her career but is yet to taste success on American soil, but was named rookie of the European Tour in 2012.

“It wasn’t an easy day out there,” said Ciganda after a windy round at Tiburon Golf Club course.

“It was pretty windy. I’ve been playing good the last couple of months and today my putting was really good. So I’m very happy with my game and really looking forward to the weekend.”

In third place at six-under following a six-under 66 is Morgan Pressel, while US Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie (67), Sarah Jane Smith (69) and Sandra Gal (71) are a shot further back.

World number two Stacy Lewis continued to struggle there and is in a tie for 15th after her round of 74, while last year’s winner Feng Shanshan (69) is at one-under.

“I was happy. I made four birdies today, I hung in there and that’s all you can hope for,” said Granada, whose only victory on the LPGA was at the ADT Championship in 2006.

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