Choi Na-yeon close to winning 2nd title through success in 13-meter eagle putting

Choi Na-yeon emerged to take the lone lead by breaking the record of minimum pars in the 36 holes in the second round of the Arkansas Championship of the U.S. LPGA tour.

In the second round at Pinnacle Country Club (par 71, 6341 yards) in Rogers, Arkansas, the U.S. on Sunday, the 28-year-old Korean golfer displayed impressive performance by garnering one eagle, seven birdies, and one bogey to secure 8-under 63. In the tournament that had delays due to storm, Choi posted an interim score of 13-under 129 and emerged to take the lone lead. Choi, who won the title at the year’s season opener Coates Championship held in February, will challenge to win her second title in this season, and her ninth career title at the final, third round of the tournament on Monday.

Having saved two pars in the first half, Choi saved six pars at nine holes in the second half, displaying the best of her performance. Notably, she succeeded in 13-meter eagle putting at Hole 18 (par 5). Choi said, “It is the first time in my golf career that I have played 29 pars in the second half. I had some confidence because I had a good sense in shots, but I never expected my score would reach this high.”

Heo Mi-jung, 26, who saved three pars on the day, tied for second with Anna Nordqvist of Sweden by scoring an interim score of 11-under 131. Park In-bee, 27, No. 1 in the global rankings, failed to make the cut for the first time since the Airbus LPGA Classic in May 2014 by posting an interim score of 1-under 141.

uni@donga.com