AI MIYAZATO TAKES LEAD IN LPGA TOUR FINALE

FROM GOLF WEEK

Karrie Webb is four shots off the pace as Japan's Ai Miyazato collected nine birdies in an eight-under par 64 to take a one-shot lead midway through the LPGA tour's season-ending Titleholders tournament at TwinEagles Golf Club, Naples, Florida.

South Korea's So Yeon Ryu, who also shared the first-round lead, carded a 72 to fall into a tie for seventh alongside Germany's Sandra Gal and Australian Webb on 138.
Catriona Matthew could do no better than a 77 in the second round and is back in a share of 57th place on 148.
Yorkshire's Jodi Ewart is ahead of the North Berwick player, having shot 74-72 for 146 and joint 42nd place. 

Miyazato, seeking a third victory this season, had just one blemish on her card, a bogey at the par-five second hole.

She more than atoned, with five birdies on the front nine and four more on the back at TwinEagles for a 10-under total of 134 after two rounds.

"I was just really calm out there all day long and I did really good on the greens," Miyazato said.

"My game is really in good shape but I still have a couple more days so hopefully I can keep it going."

She was one shot in front of South Korean Na Yeon Choi, the US Women's Open champion who carded a 68 for 135.

South Korea's Sun Young Yoo, part of a trio sharing the first-round lead, thought she was two shots adrift after a 70 but was assessed a one-shot penalty for an improper drop.

That gave Yoo a one-under 71 and put her in a tie for third on 137 alongside France's Karine Icher (70), American Brittany Lincicome (69) and overnight co-leader Suzann Pettersen of Norway (71).

Yoo was penalised for failing to hold her arm at shoulder height when she took her drop, and ended up with a triple-bogey eight at the hole.

"This is one of those rules you don't like to apply a penalty to," rules official Janet Lindsay told the Golf Channel.

"You don't see the player gaining an advantage, but it definitely was a breach of the rule and that is a one-stroke penalty."

Stacy Lewis, the world No.2 who has locked up the Player of the Year award, was two-under through 36 holes.

Lewis, the only player to win four titles this season, needs to win the $500,000 first prize to have a chance of passing money list leader Inbee Park of South Korea
Catriona Matthew had an eventual second round of 77 (41-36) which included an eagle at the long 13th, a birdie at the 16th, two double bogeys (a 7 at the long first and a 6 at the par-4 15th) plus bogeys at the third, eighth, ninth and 17th.

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