SHANGHAI – South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai coped admirably with swirling winds to battle her way to a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Blue Bay LPGA in China on Thursday.
Still searching for the first win of her LPGA Tour career, Buhai shot a four-under-par 68 at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club on the southern island of Hainan.
“I feel I am getting more comfortable with the situation,” the 28-year-old, who birdied four of her last seven holes, told LPGA.com of her trophy drought.
Buhai is, however, getting closer and has two top-five finishes this year.
China’s Feng Shanshan, the world number three who last week picked up her second win of the season, shot a 67 for the lowest round of the day and is just a shot back.
But the rest of the field struggled in the blustery conditions, and the scoring averaged at four-over-par 76.
In-form Feng said she was enjoying having the support of the Chinese crowd.
“I’m playing in front of all the fans from home. Of course I feel a little bit of pressure, and I’m pretty sure tomorrow will be more people coming to support me,” she said.
“But I just wanted to bring out my ‘A’ game and enjoy the week.”
First-round leader Sun Young-Yoo of South Korea carded a 74 and was third at five-under for the championship.