16 May 2015

Ko bounces back in Virginia

11:21 am on 16 May 2015

The New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has had a strong finish to her second round in Virginia to climb the leaderboard at the latest event on the LPGA tour.

After an even par first round, Ko could only bank one birdy on the front nine this morning before two bogies after the turn pushed her further behind the leaders.

But the world number one fought back with three consecutive birdies to finish with a two under 69 that pushed her from 40th into a tie for 22nd.

Lydia Ko during Day 2 of the New Zealand Women's Open

Lydia Ko during Day 2 of the New Zealand Women's Open Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Ko is seven strokes adrift of the leader from America, Alison Lee, who picked up for strokes on day two, while the overnight leader from France, Joanna Klatten, dropped four shots to fall level with Ko.

Lee has a two stroke advantage over the second placed Australian Minjee Lee and the French woman Perrine Delacour.

Ko's fightback on day two preserved her record of never missing a cut in a professional event, however her place at the top of the rankings could yet come under pressure from South Korea's Inbee Park.

The world number two fired a four under par 67 to finish four under for the day and three under for the tournament, a stroke ahead of Ko.