Mika Miyazato shot a five-under 67
to take the second-round lead Friday at the Evian Masters.
Miyazato finished 36 holes on the Evian Masters Golf Club with a nine-under
135 and will carry a one-shot lead into the weekend over Ladies European Tour
regular Gwladys Nocera.
Nocera birdied the 17th hole to tie Miyazato for the lead, then ended with a
bogey at the 18th hole to shoot a 67 and fall one shot behind at eight-under
136.
Jeong Jang (69) is third at seven-under 137, while Morgan Pressel (72) leads a
four-way tie at six-under 138 that also includes Na Yeon Choi (70), Meena Lee
(70) and M.J. Hur (71).
Mika Miyazato is not to be confused with Ai Miyazato, this week's defending
champion and the current world No. 1.
Ai Miyazato managed only a 72 on Friday and dropped into a tie for 16th place
at three-under 141, six shots off the lead.
The second round was completed despite several weather delays, including a
stoppage of 1 hour and 40 minutes because of thunderstorms.
The leader was among the players caught on the course when that delay began.
"I just tried to keep my concentration and make sure that I was very, very
focused today," said Mika Miyazato.
She scored better on the front nine than she did on the back, picking up four
birdies and a bogey for an outward 33. She played without a bogey on the back
nine and shot a 34, closing with a birdie at the 18th hole to take the
clubhouse lead.
Chasing her first LPGA Tour win, Mika Miyazato said she feels "almost" close
to breaking through. And at just 20 years old, she handled the weather like a
veteran.
"On the first nine, my driver wasn't as steady. But with the rain delay, I was
able to refresh my mind set and have a good back nine," she said.
Nocera finished in one of the last groups and said she liked the way her game
was rewarded on the soft course. Being aggressive with her putts, she picked
up an eagle at the par-five ninth and also had five birdies with just two
bogeys.
"The course is really good considering all the water that dropped all night
and this morning," said Nocera.
This is the first LPGA Tour event since Paula Creamer won the U.S. Women's
Open two weeks ago. The tour remains in Europe next week for the Women's
British Open.
Creamer, still battling a sore thumb, had a 73 in the second round and dropped
nine shots off the lead.
NOTES: The cut line fell at three-over 147 and 79 players in the 111-woman
field moved on to the weekend. Among those who missed the cut were Laura Diaz,
Stacy Lewis and Christina Kim.
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