Thompson shoots to the top; Wie 4 back
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates » American teenager Lexi Thompson has taken a two-shot lead after the second round of the Dubai Ladies Masters.
The 16-year-old Thompson, who is the youngest LPGA Tour winner, had six birdies en route to a bogey-free, 6-under 66 Thursday and 136 total.
“I just made a few more putts today,” Thompson said. “I hit it a little bit closer. I was just thinking ‘stay steady’ and playing consistent.”
Swedish veteran Sophie Gustafson (67) and Margherita Rigon (68) shared second place, while Julieta Granada and Becky Morgan trailed the leader by three shots.
Michelle Wie is four shots behind after a 67. The 22-year-old from Hawaii, who is looking for her first win of the year, rallied after an opening-round 73. She had five birdies overall, including four on the back nine.
“I made a couple more putts,” Wie said. “I have two more days to try and shoot some more low scores.”
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Overnight leader Lotta Wahlin of Sweden needed eight more strokes on Thursday, scoring a 74.
Thompson got her short game working after finishing 16th in the first round. She hit a lob wedge within 10 feet of the pin on the second hole and sent a 178-yard iron shot on the next hole within 15 feet to birdie both.
Thompson has started to match the hype that has surrounded her arrival on the tour, winning the Navistar LPGA Classic by five strokes in September.
A victory in Dubai would make her the second-youngest winner on the European Tour after Amy Yang, who won the ANZ Masters in 2006 at 16 years, 191 days. That is just over five months younger than Thompson.
“This is such a great tournament and it would be an honor to win this,” Thompson said. “So I’m jut going to try and take it easy and play one shot at a time.”
Wie also turned pro at 16.
However, she has struggled to meet expectations, winning only twice on the LPGA Tour and this year falling to 17th in the rankings because of nagging injuries and a drop in form.
On Thursday, Wie had a bogey-free round in the season-ending event and made several key birdie putts, including a 30-footer on No. 12.
“A little frustrated after the last two holes, but I kept steady out there today,” said Wie, who missed a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 18. “I’m still in contention, and going to go out there tomorrow, shoot another low round.”
Westwood leads with course record
Lee Westwood shot a career-best 12-under 60 to lead the Thailand Golf Championship by five strokes over John Daly.
The Englishman reached the turn in 29 and wound up with the course record at Amata Spring Country Club.
“I’ve never shot a 60 before,” Westwood said. “A couple of 61s in Germany. Billy (Foster, Westwood’s caddie) said my 62 two weeks ago at the Nedbank (Challenge) was as good a round as he’s ever seen, but he said today was better.”