SINGAPORE - Asia's golfing powerhouse South Korea asserted its authority on Friday at the HSBC Women's Champions as Jang Ha Na and Lee Mi Rim topped the leaderboard at the half-way stage of the US$1.5 million (S$2.11 million) tournament.
Jang fired a sparkling six-under 66 for a 136 total that was matched by her compatriot Lee (67) at the Sentosa Golf Club.
The pair are a stroke ahead of Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum (67) and Norway's Suzann Pettersen (69).
Four players Amy Yang (67), Gerina Piller (68), Feng Shanshan and Ahn Sun Ju (both 69s) were joint-fifth on 138.
Jang, 23, won her maiden LPGA Tour title at last month's Coates Golf Championship and was tied-eighth at last week's Honda LPGA Thailand.
She said: "I just feel very comfortable out there on the golf course and am very patient playing each hole."
Defending champion Park In Bee signed for a 73 and was tied-19th on 141. World No. 1 Lydia Ko struggled to a 74 and was 145 and tied-41st.
Singaporean Koh Sock Hwee recorded a 73 and 149 total, good enough for joint-53rd spot in the elite 62-women field at the Serapong Course.