Choi continues charge and pulls away from the field at Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 October 2012 – The same question is on everyone's lips at the halfway stage of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia: Who can stop defending champion Na Yeon Choi from running away with this year's championship?


Having shot a six-under 65 on Thursday, the sweet swinging South Korean was again on at top of her game as she fired six birdies for a four-under 67 to sit at 10-under 132. The overnight co-leader seized control of the US$1.9 million event and is two shots ahead of American Sydnee Michaels (65), who is second on 134.

Said Choi, the world No. 4 and reigning US Open winner: "I had two bogeys today but I think I'm still in pretty good position. I really like to play this golf course and I have a lot of confidence. Today I hit a lot of good iron shots and have been really looking forward to this week and hope to good result like last year."

While several of the big names struggled to keep pace with her, it was left to an unexpected challenger to ensure that Choi did not run away with the US$285,000 winner's cheque.

Despite being ranked 147th in the world and in her first year on the LPGA Tour, much of Michaels' golf was world class. She strung five straight birdies beginning from the 11th hole for a backward nine of 31 to propel herself up the leader board.

"I definitely got on a roll. I gave myself good birdie chances every time. I was rolling the ball really well today," said the rookie whose best result this year was a seventh-placed finished at the Safeway Classic in August.

The prospect of having to play catch up with Choi, a formidable front runner - five of her six Tour titles have been won with a lead going into the final round - did not faze Michaels either.

She said: "Golf is a crazy sport where the tournament can change in one hole. There's two days left, so that's a lot of golf to be played. I'm just hoping to go out and play well again the next two days, and hopefully my name will be at the top."

Illustrating that point was Norwegian Suzann Pettersen, who broke the KLGCC East Course record by one stroke with a round of 64 that featured seven birdies. It was a flawless display of ball striking from the world No. 8; three times she struck her approaches to within tap-in distance for birdies.
"Just a very easy round of golf," said the world No. 8. "It was nice to get a low round and get back into the tournament. Obviously when you hit it close, you feel like you can be aggressive."

She finished on seven-under 135 and is joint-third alongside American Lizette Salas (67) and Japanese duo Mika Miyazato (69) and Momoko Ueda (67).
Besides the birdie barrage from Pettersen, spectators were treated to plenty of highlights at the only LPGA-sanctioned tournament in Malaysia. There was a stunning hole-in-one on the par three 136 yard 15th hole by Salas, and she came close to topping that with an improbable eagle when she nearly holed her approach on the par four 390 yard 18th as her ball hit the flag and cup before spinning out.

There was little to celebrate unfortunately for the top ranked Yani Tseng, whose struggles continued as she posted a 72, her second straight over-par round. It leaves her in a disappointing joint-61st position. She said: "I felt like I gave 100 per cent into every shot, every hole today. I'm just going to keep working hard."

Meanwhile, local amateur Aretha Pan remained the highest placed Malaysian after signing for her second straight 73, which included two birdies on her back nine. She is tied-52nd. "The rough's very thick and it's been my biggest challenge. I've not been very lucky today but I'm happy I managed to come back with a few birdies," she said, before adding: "I'm just trying to make myself happy and enjoy every second of this prestigious event."

Pink Saturday awaits during which players and caddies will be sporting pink to raise awareness of breast cancer. Tournament spectators will receive a pink ribbon that day and those who registers at the CARIF booth will stand a chance to win a lucky draw prize. Nett proceeds of ticket sales throughout the tournament will be donated to CARIF.
-Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
www.simedarbylpgamalaysia.com