LPGA’s In Gee Chun on course to make golf history

Chun, who won the US Women’s Open past year for her first and only win on the LPGA Tour, and Park, the leading light on the Korean LPGA Tour, had impressive eight-birdie rounds.

The Kiwi world No 1 had five birdies and two bogeys in a steady round, as she moved to four-under through 36 holes at the Evian Championship in France.

Australia’s highest ranked player, Minjee Lee, notched seven bogies in her second round 74 to make the cut on the number at 3-over, a full 16 shots off the pace. Discussing what to do with her caddie for several minutes, Chun decided against a drop shot and declared it unplayable, going back to where she took the shot from and incurring a two-stroke penalty.

But she added: “I like pressure”.

Her eagle on the 15th was a 35-yard chip from the back of the green that rolled up and across the green with ideal weighting, prompting her to raise her arm triumphantly.

Chun was smiling again after the next hole, another birdie, moved her to 19 under. The last two holes were mere pars.

Sunday could be a record-breaking day for Chun, who remains on course for the lowest ever 72-hole score in a major.

The 19-under par shot by Karren Supples at the 2004 British Open, which was matched by Inbee Park at the PGA Championship in 2015, still holds the record.

South Korean Sung Hyun Park, who shared the overnight lead with Chun after shooting 63, juggled three bogeys and six birdies in her second-round 68, tying her for second with Shanshan Feng at 11-under 131. Park made four birdies in a consistent 67. Feng started to tire on the back nine, making two bogeys, but she perked up with birdies on the final two holes for 67.

A bogey-free 66 from So Yeon Ryu lifts the Korean to fourth ahead of Angela Stanford, while two-time major victor Brittany Lincicome matched the joint-low round of the day to get to eight under.

Overall, she was nine strokes behind Chun, while American veteran Angela Stanford was 10 adrift in sixth place.

Heavy rain is forecast for Sunday’s final round.

PAISLEY UP: Chris Paisley took a one-stroke lead in the second round of the Italian Open before thunderstorms ended play early in Monza, Italy.

The New Zealander lifted her spirits with birdies at seven and nine, but she gave both shots back on the inward half and limped in with a 75 which left her 19 shots behind the leader.