Choi Keeps Shanghai Lead Despite Windy Second-Round 74

Hye-Jin Choi retained the lead at the Buick LPGA Shanghai despite a two-over-par 74 on Friday. Her two-round total of six-under 138 left her two strokes ahead as difficult conditions at Sheshan Golf Club pushed scores higher.

Amy Yang shot 71 and Grace Kim returned an even-par 72 to share second at four under. The LPGA’s Associated Press report says Choi had led by three after the opening round.

Choi is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory after winning 12 times in South Korea. The long par-fours and small, undulating greens at Sheshan provided little relief on a day when relatively few players broke par.

Defending champion Jeeno Thitikul shot 73 and was tied for seventh, four strokes behind the leader. Thitikul arrived after winning the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii earlier this month. The Shanghai tournament opens the LPGA’s late-season Asian swing, with events in South Korea, Malaysia and Japan following over the next three weeks. Two rounds remain to decide whether Choi can convert her lead into a first tour title.