Kim leads by two in Rancho Mirage

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  • April 4, 2015

South Korea’s Sei Young Kim fired a superb second-round 65 to open up a two-shot lead at the LPGA’s ANA Inspiration in California.

The 22-year-old LPGA rookie’s seven-under-par effort was the lowest round of the day at Mission Hills Country Club, two shots better than anyone has managed at the tournament thus far.

She was five under for her round heading to the par-5 18th, but a stunning approach left her just five feet for a closing eagle and a combined seven under par total following her opening, level-par 72.

“I feel really great because I was 7-under today,” Kim said. “I really hit the ball good and putting really good, everything really good. I’m very happy.”

As for how she plans to stay atop the leaderboard come Sunday, she turned to a famous company slogan.

“Just do it,” she said. “Just do it!”

Kim’s closest pursuer is overnight leader Morgan Pressel, who le shot a 72 to relinquish the lead but stay in the hunt.

Pressel is alone in second place, one shot ahead of Brittany Lincicome, Jenny Shin and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew.

Top 10 players Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson are among those on three under

Meanwhile, Lydia Ko’s record-tying streak of 29 consecutive sub-par rounds came to a close Friday.

She had equalled former World No 1 Annika Sorenstam’s record of 29 on Thursday, but a one-over-par 73 meant she would not break it – at least not at this point in her fledgling career.

She was disappointed for the streak to end but won’t be upset to see the hype around it go.

“I mean, it was pretty awesome that I was near Annika’s record last week and even yesterday, and then I tied it,” said Ko, who lies on even par for the tournament. “It was so cool that I’m tying with someone amazing and as great as her. I was like, man, I would love to reach 30 in a way. But as I said before, I’m relieved that this question is not going to be asked, but I think 29 – I wasn’t counting and 29 under-par rounds is pretty good in my book.”

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