JERUDONG, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Two runs of three consecutive birdies on the back nine proved to be the difference for Hong Ran on Sunday as the South Korean veteran fired a four-under 67 for a one shot lead through two rounds of the inaugural Brunei Ladies Open.
The 31-year-old Hong, the overnight leader, was on 11-under 131 at the Empire Hotel and Country Club course.
With the KRW700 million (US$658,000) tournament tri-sanctioned by the China LPGA Tour, the Brunei Darussalam Golf Association and the LPGA of South Korea Tour, South Koreans dominated the leaderboard in occupying the top 11 positions.
Jang Eun-soo and Han Jin-seon each shot six-under 65 to sit one shot back at the Jack Nicklaus-designed seaside resort course, while Lee Jung-min (66) was alone in fourth two shots off the pace.
Thailand's Supamas Sangchan was the top CLPGA Tour regular as the Sukothai native improved to a four-under 67 to sit equal 12th at six-under par. Guangdong native Luo Ying (68) was the top Chinese player at two-under par.
Starting the day with a two-stroke lead, Hong stumbled to a birdie and three bogeys over the front nine to drop out of the lead and make the turn at five-under. The veteran then roared back with three consecutive birdies starting at the 11th hole before reeling off another three straight starting at the 15th hole.
"I was unsatisfied with my front nine. In the beginning of the game I felt a little bit nervous, I couldn't make proper swings. After the turn at nine, I tried to relax and focused on what I have to do, my performance was getting better," said the Suwon native, a three-time winner on the KLPGA Tour but winless since 2010.
"I feel very good at the beginning of 2018 season. I will do my best and show my best play to my fans."
The 36-hole cut was set at even-par 142 with 65 players advancing to Monday's final round. Notable players to miss the cut included China's Shi Yuting (69), Thailand's Narisa Kerdrit who ballooned to a six-over 77 on Sunday, and CLPGA Tour qualifying school winner Tahnia Ravnjak (73) of Australia.
Luo, one of four Chinese players to make the cut, said she was satisfied with her play today in a round that included five birdies and two bogeys.
"My iron and putts are good. Yesterday I was struggled with my putts, even lost a few one yard putts, so I practice a lot after the first round and today I was paid back," said the 24-year-old who turned pro in 2016.
"Even if the rough at this course is difficult the distance is not that long. So as long as I keep the ball on the fairway I will have opportunity to get birdies. Tomorrow, I will try my best until the last minute."
The Empire Hotel and Country Club is a 6,397-yard, par-71 layout designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Brunei Ladies Open second round leading scores (Chinese unless stated):
131 - Hong Ran (South Korea) 64-67
132 - Jang Eun-soo (South Korea) 67-65, Han Jin-seon (South Korea) 67-65
133 - Lee Jung-min (South Korea) 67-66
134 - Ji Han-sol (South Korea) 69-65, Nam So-yeon (South Korea) 69-65, Kim Su-ji (South Korea) 69-65
135 - Park Ji-young (South Korea) 69-66, Jeong Seul-gi (South Korea) 68-67, You Hyo-ju (South Korea) 68-67, Lee So-young (South Korea) 68-67
136 - Kim Hyun-soo (South Korea) 70-66, Choi Ka-ram (South Korea) 70-66, Supamas Sangchan (Thailand) 69-67, Lee Seung-hyun (South Korea) 68-68, Kim Hyun-soo (South Korea) 70-66, Lee So-young (South Korea) 68-68, Jang Su-yeon (South Korea) 68-68
137 - Kim Bo-kyun (South Korea) 71-66, Cho Yoon-ji (South Korea) 71-66, Kim Char-young (South Korea) 69-68, Chung Ye-na (South Korea) 69-68, Cho Jeong-min (South Korea) 69-68
138 - Lim Eun-bin (South Korea) 70-68, Lee Ji-hoo (South Korea) 70-68, Park Min-ji (South Korea) 70-68, Seo Yeun-jung (South Korea) 70-68, Choi He-yong (South Korea) 70-68, In Ju-yeon (South Korea) 69-69, Pavarisa Yoktuan (Thailand) 70-68, Kim So-yi (South Korea) 70-68, Pajaree Anannarukarn (Thailand) 69-69, Park Chae-yoon (South Korea) 68-70.
