Ko Jin-young's Breather "Tied 2nd, 3 Strokes Behind"... Green 'Leaps to the Lead'

Palos Verdes Championship Day 2: 1 Over Par 'Stumble', Minji Lee and Lydia Ko Tied for 2nd, Inbee Park Tied for 9th

Ko Jin-young is watching the ball after her second shot on the 15th hole on the second day of the Palos Verdes Championship. Palos Verdes Estates, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a breather for world No. 1 Ko Jin-young (27).

On the 30th (Korean time), at the Palos Verdes Golf Club (par 71, 6,450 yards) in Palos Verdes Estates, California, USA, the second day of the newly established LPGA Tour event, the Palos Verdes Championship (total prize money $1.5 million), Ko Jin-young dropped one stroke and slipped to a tie for 2nd place (6-under 136). Hannah Green leads (9-under 133), with Minjee Lee (both from Australia), Lydia Ko (New Zealand), and Megan Kang (USA) tied for 2nd.

Starting the day one stroke behind in 2nd place, Ko Jin-young recorded one birdie and one double bogey. After suffering a critical double bogey on the 5th hole, she seemed to change the momentum with a birdie on the 12th hole (both par 4). However, she could not reduce her strokes on the remaining six holes. Her greens in regulation rate was only 66.67%, and her number of putts soared to 30. She is three strokes behind the leader, in a position to aim for her second win of the season and 14th career victory since winning the HSBC Women's last month.

Hana Green (right) is waiting for her tee shot turn on the 14th hole on the second day of the Palos Verdes Championship. Palos Verdes Estates, USA = Getty Images / Multibitz

The green surged with 5-under, taking over the top of the leaderboard. She debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2018 and won two titles the following year, including the major KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Cambia Portland Classic. Lydia Ko also lowered her score by 4 strokes, entering the race for the championship. On the other hand, Minjee Lee, who was the leader the previous day, lost 2 strokes. Brooke Henderson (Canada), Stacy Lewis (USA), and Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) all failed to advance to the final round.

Korea’s ‘Golf Empress’ Park In-bee (34, KB Financial Group) collected one eagle and three birdies (one bogey). She dropped 4 strokes and jumped to a tie for 9th place (4-under 138). She is only 5 strokes behind the leader, making a comeback victory possible. Choi Hye-jin (23, Lotte) exchanged two birdies for two bogeys and is tied for 18th place (2-under 140). Park Hee-young (35) is tied for 37th (even par 142), and Yoo So-yeon (32, Mediheal) is tied for 52nd (1-over 143).

Park In-bee is taking her second shot on the 10th hole on the second day of the Palos Verdes Championship. Palos Verdes Estates, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

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