Golf: Americans dominate leader board midway through Korea LPGA C'ship

Brittany Lang of the US throws her glove to the crowd after her play on the 18th hole during the second round of the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship golf event on Oct 14, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

INCHEON, South Korea (AFP) - US Women's Open champion Brittany Lang took the lead on Friday from fellow American Alison Lee with a bogey-free, seven-under 65 at the Korea LPGA Championship.

At the tournament's halfway stage, Lang topped the leader board with a 10-under total of 134 at the par-72 Ocean Course near Incheon International Airport.

Lee was one stroke back with Cristie Kerr and Park Sung Hyun sharing third spot on 137.

Lang sank five birdies and an eagle to follow up her first round 69. Lee, born in Los Angeles to Korean parents, followed her 65 with a 70 on Friday, mixing in three birdies and an eagle with three bogeys.

This is the only LPGA tournament in South Korea each year. It is the third stop of the tour's Asian swing and boasts the strongest field so far, with 17 of the world's top 20 in action.

Park Hyun, the money leader on the Korea LPGA Tour this year with seven victories, moved into contention with a 65, along with Kerr who carded the same score.

Kerr won twice last season, including the year-ending CME Group Tour Championship, but like many Americans on Tour has struggled to find success in 2016.

Lang is one of just two Americans to win on Tour this season, the other being the defending champion here, Lexi Thompson, who won in February at the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Kerr was one of five Americans to win last season on Tour while Lee is still in search of her first win.

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