Lee fires 66, tied for 2nd in LPGA event

May 27, 2017 - 12:58 AM Minjee Lee cost herself a top-10 finish last week when she failed to sign her scorecard.

It was quite a gaffe, obviously, but it didn't change the fact that the 20-year-old from Australia was playing pretty well.

"Obviously, it was my fault," Lee said. "I played good last week and I know my game's there."

Lee shot a six-under 66 on Friday and finished the second round two strokes behind leader Sung Hyun Park at the LPGA Volvik Championship. Park shot a 65 to enter the weekend at 12 under.

Lee is in a tie for second with Suzann Pettersen, a shot in front a group of five players which includes her compatriot Sarah Jane Smith.

Smith followed a first-round 67 with a 68 but it was Lee who shone brightest for the Australian contingent.

After a bogey on the par-3 12th hole, Lee went on a birdie blitz to get to 10 under.

"I feel pretty comfortable out there," said Lee, a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour.

"I mean, I was having fun out there and kept it pretty light with my caddie. Yeah, just played golf really."

Lee, who turns 21 on Saturday, was disqualified from the Kingsmill Championship because of the mistake with her scorecard.

She seems to have put that behind her, and she wrapped up her round Friday with a birdie on No. 9.

On that final hole, playing partner Charley Hull's approach shot struck Lee's ball, which was already on the green, so the players had to deal with that unusual situation.

"They said move it three inches so that's what we did," Lee said.

Lexi Thompson, who had her own huge penalty at this year's ANA Inspiration, was in Lee's group. She shot 68 and moved to four under.

Park birdied six holes on the back nine, and the rookie from South Korea appears to be playing with confidence.

She was the top earning player in the Korean LPGA last year and also had four top-10 finishes in seven LPGA Tour events. She has three top-10 LPGA Tour showings this season.

Source: AAP