Japan's Miyazato keeps LPGA lead after 2nd round at Safeway Classic

NORTH PLAINS, Oregon (AFP) - Japan's Mika Miyazato, seeking her first LPGA title, fired a four-under par 68 on Saturday to seize a two-stroke lead after the second round of the LPGA Safeway Classic.

Miyazato, who began on the back nine, birdied the par-3 11th and third holes and added birdies at the sixth and par-5 eighth holes to finish 36 holes on 11-under 133, two clear of South Korean So Yeon Ryu, who also shot a 68.

"I had so much frustration on the putting on the front nine, but I made three birdies on the back nine," Miyazato said.

Ryu and Miyazato, both 22, were playing partners in the first two rounds and will be again for Sunday's final round of the 54-hole event at Pumpkin Ridge, where Miyazato will try to take a solid season to the next level by winning.