17 Sep 2016

Ko climbs leaderboard but still off the pace

7:25 am on 17 September 2016

The New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has climbed from a share of 28th to a tie for 13th at the Evian Championship in France

Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko Photo: Photosport

The World No.1 carded a second round three under par 68 to be four under for the tournament, nine shots off the lead held by South Korea's In Gee Chun.

Ko, the defending champion at the year's final major, recorded five birdies and two bogies in her second round.

Chun grabbed a two-shot lead by carding a five-under 66 in the second round.

Chun, who earned LPGA Tour membership by winning the U.S. Women's Open in 2015, moved to a total of 13-under 129 after scoring six birdies and one bogey on a rainy day in Haute Savoie.

Her compatriot Park Sung-hyun, who shared the lead with Chun after the first round, was tied second with China's Shanshan Feng.

Park lost ground by hitting three bogeys in a disappointing round of 68.

"There is no benefit for just long hitters," said Shanshan.

"The rough is really long.

-RNZ