Shin continues hot display at Kingsmill tilt

WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia: South Korea’s Jiyai Shin followed up a tournament-record 62 with a 68 on Friday for a one-shot lead in the US LPGA Tour Kingsmill Championship.
Shin was among the players who completed her first round on Thursday despite a lengthy rain delay.
Her sizzling first-round effort held up, but Shin, a former world No. 1 who won the last of her eight LPGA titles in November of 2010, admitted she was watching the scoreboard.
“I have to know my position, and I keep changing my plan each hole after I check the positions,” said Shin, who had four birdies and a bogey en route to a 36-hole total of 12-under 130 on the Kingsmill River Course.
“I saw a lot of players play good today, so I think it will make for fun competition the next two days,” added Shin, who was delighted to find herself in the title hunt going into the weekend.
“I’m used to the competition, I’m used to the pressure and nerves, too, and also I really like that feeling,” she said. “So I can’t wait for the play for the weekend.”
Shin birdied the par-five third and picked up another shot at the par-five seventh.
She followed up with birdies at 10 and 12, but she settled for par at the par-five 15th and gave back a shot with a bogey at 16.
“The greens were a little bit slower, so I missed a few chances with my putting,” she said. “I still feel good so I just look forward to the weekend.”
Shin had a one-shot lead over American Danielle Kang, who carded a 64 for 131.
Kang, winner of the US Women’s Amateur in 2010 and 2011, missed the cut in her last two tournaments.
“I started off the day thinking just take it shot by shot. I’ve been approaching shots differently this whole week,” Kang said. “I just a.m. trying to see what works, and my brother taught me how to putt.”
Dewi Claire Schreefel of the Netherlands and Paula Creamer were tied at 10-under 132. Schreefel carded a 66 and Creamer a 67.
Schreefel was among the 33 players who had to complete the first round on Friday morning.
With just two holes to play, she was promptly penalized for a rules infraction at the first, but kept her poise to stay in the hunt for the weekend.
Michelle Wie was among those missing the cut, following up a first-round 75 with a 71. The one-time prodigy has missed nine cuts this season and posted just one top-10 finish.