Park In-bee strikes back on Day 2

MISSION HILLS HAIKOU, CHINA ― World No. 4 Park In-bee came back strong to a commanding Day 2 finish carding a flurry of birdies at the second
World Ladies Championship at Mission Hills Haikou resort in Hainan,
southern China.

Park bagged birdies on the second, third, sixth, eighth, 14th, 15th and 18th. She completed the second day 7-under-par, 11-under in the first two days with 133 points putting her in a commanding pole position.

Meanwhile in the Team Strokeplay Competition running simultaneously, at -14 under, the combination of Park and Ha Neul Kim gave the country a large lead going into the weekend finals.

Korea’s Park In-bee (Xinhua-Yonhap News)

Spain's Carlota Ciganda, on nine under par, was the next best player, 10 under going into the weekend.

Koreans appeared clearly in control going into the weekend. Four Koreans ended Day 2 in the top 10; Yang Soo-jin  with six under par; and 19-year-old Kim Hyo-ju, who went pro in September with six under par; and Suh Bo-mi placed third going into the Round 3 with seven under par.

Yang Soo-jin's performance was particularly impressive as she played with an injured wrist throughout the day. 

Last year's World Ladies Championship winner Feng Shanshan placed eighth with fve under par on Day 2 with 139, along with fellow Chinese player Lin Xiyu.

Park had a tough time on the greens on Day 1, ending behind a trio of Europeans on the Sandbelt Trails course after faltering with a bogey on 15.

"I knew that the greens were going to be tricky this week and I had a tough time putting, but hopefully better days over the next few," she said.

"The trickiest part of the course is around the greens. There are a lot of undulations and you need to put yourself in the right position," Park said. 

The characteristically calm, cool and collected 2008 U.S. Women's Open champ did just that to pull out an amazing come back. 

After today's round, Park said: "I am having a little trouble with the breaks on the greens. They are really tough to read. But I hit the greens well today. I putted with everything within 15 feet today." 

Feng Shanshan double-bogeyed on the green on 15, the same that had tripped up Park the day before. 

China is showcasing its rapid development in the field of golf by hosting the competitive play among so many top ranked athletes, vying side-by-side with internationally recognized Chinese golfers for a huge purse -- some $600,000, and prizes for the individual professional, amateur and team events.

The tournament continues for two more days until March 10. Mission Hills, located in Haikou city on the tropical island of Hainan, is the fourth stop on the Ladies European Tour's international schedule for 2013.

The individual professional competition features 72 holes of stroke play with a cut to the leading 50 professionals and those tied after Round 2, while the amateur and team competitions will be played simultaneously.

By Philip Iglauer, Korea Herald correspondent
(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)