Kim extends lead
In-Kyung Kim extended her lead at the Portland Classic to three strokes on Friday.
The South Korean carded a five under 67 at a cloudy Columbia Edgewater course, putting her on 12 under for the tournament.
While her card had two blemishes in the form of a bogeys on the second and 13th, seven birdies would more than make up for the mistakes on the two par threes.
“I’m glad that I’ve been kind of going through all these things, and you know, it’s nice to win one,” Kim told abcnews.go.com.
The round puts the 26-year old three strokes ahead of second place Carlota Ciganda, who shot a superb seven under 65 to climb up the leaderboard. Rogelio Echeverria, her long time coach, recently passed away from stomach cancer.
“Like a month ago I was practicing with him,” said the Spaniard, who carded eight birdies.
“I can’t speak. He’s the one who taught me everything. I’m here because of him. He means everything to me. I’m just going to play for him, and I would love to win just for him.”
Joining Ciganda on nine under for the tournament are Laura Diaz and Mi Jung Hur after rounds of 68 and 65 respectively.
Meanwhile, defending champion Suzann Pettersen is languishing in tenth position on six under for the event. After a disappointing round of one under on Thursday, the Norwegian bounced back with five under 67 on Friday.
“I haven’t played my best the last two days,” quipped the two time Major championship winner.
“Really happy to be able to shoot 5 under on the back nine. I don’t know if it’s just the fourth (consecutive) week that I’m tired, but grinding it out. I’m finding solutions out there.”
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