Song takes clubhouse lead at Women's British Open
SUNNINGDALE, England -- Bo Bae Song shot a 4-under 68 despite a bogey on the last hole Friday to take the early clubhouse lead during the second round of the Women's British Open on Friday.
Song moved to 8-under 136 at the halfway mark, but was tied with first-round leader Juli Inkster, who was still out on the course. She was one shot ahead on the leaderboard going into the last hole, but drove into the rough. Her second shot found a fairway bunker, and she pitched out to 60 yards from the green before ending up with a bogey 5.
"We've still got a lot of golf to play and it's only been the first two days," the South Korean golfer told reporters through an interpreter. "I'm not surprised (at the score). I think I've played up to my capabilities so I'm not very surprised where I am."
In her 2005 rookie season, Song made an immediate impact on the Ladies European Tour when she won the season-opening Samsung Ladies Masters in Singapore to become the tour's youngest winner at age 18. The 22-year-old Korean rarely plays on the LET and captured the Dalkin Orchid Ladies Golf title on the Japanese Tour in March.
Inkster, aiming to become the oldest winner of a women's major at age 48, followed up her opening-round 65 with a birdie on the first hole, and was 8 under after the eighth. Natalie Gulbis made a 68 to move to 7-under 137 and was tied with Japan's Ai Miyazato, who carded a 3-under 69.
"I birdied the first two holes, it was nice to take advantage of the two par-5s," Gulbis said. "And I managed to take advantage of another par-5 for a birdie. I think anything in the 60s is going to be pretty good today."
Laura Diaz was two off the lead after an even par 72 that included three eagles, the third time that's been done on the LPGA Tour.
"I've never had two," the American said. "I know it's a record for me and I was hoping it was an LPGA record. I was going for the 4th at 14, but I ran it by (from 30 feet). I thought I hit a good putt, went past it, didn't even make birdie."