NEWS
Shin extends lead to two over Lewis at Mizuno Classic as both finish strong
By Associated Press
Published on
South Koreaâs Jiyai Shin shot a 6-under-par 66 to take a two-stroke lead over American Stacy Lewis after Saturdayâs second round of the Mizuno Classic.
Shin carded six birdies in a bogey-free round at the Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club for a 36-hole total of 13-under 131.
Shin, who is No. 1 in the LPGA rankings, won here in 2008 and put herself in position to win her second tournament of the year.
âThis is a course where you can get some good scores so my plan is to be aggressive tomorrow,â Shin said. âIâm satisfied with the way Iâm playing even though I didnât feel that good physically.â
Lewis had the dayâs lowest round of 64 to finish two strokes back at 11 under. Taiwanâs Yani Tseng shot a 65 and was tied for third with Japanâs Miki Saiki (67).
âMy round was very good today,â Lewis said. âI could have done a bit better on the front nine, but all in all I was satisfied with my score.â
Shin, who held an overnight share of the lead with Japanâs Yukari Baba, took the lead with a birdie on the par-5 16th hole and added another on the par-4 18th.
Lewis birdied four of the last six holes and had looked set to take the lead before Shinâs strong finish.
American Morgan Pressel shot a 69 to be in fifth at 8-under 136 in the $1.2 million tournament.
Japanese star Ai Miyazato struggled with her game for the second day in a row with a 79 that knocked her out of contention. Miyazato, who has five wins this season, came into the tournament vying to become the first player from Japan to capture LPGA Tour Player of the Year honors since Ayako Okamoto in 1987. She currently sits second in the race, two points behind Tseng.