Record-Setting Korea Powers Past USA To Second-Round Lead

Korea fired a record-setting 16-under-par 128 to surge into the lead by one stroke over first-round leader USA in the second round of the 2010 Women’s World Amateur Team Championship while South Africa and tied fifth at the half-way stage of the event.

At the par-72 Buenos Aires Golf Club, the Koreans shattered the record for a single-round of 134, set by the USA in the second round in 1998. Jee-Hi Kim, 16, posted a 9-under-par 63 to match the lowest round in championship history by Julieta Granada of Paraguay in 2004. Teammate Jung-Eun Han, 17, added a 7-under 65. Korea, tied for 13th place after the first round at 1 over par, set the championship mark for 36 holes at 273.

Kim, who started with five birdies on the first six holes, finished with 10 birdies against just one bogey for her career-best competitive round. “We were expecting to play well after our practice rounds,” Kim said. “But not like this.”

The USA used a 6-under-par 66 from Jessica Korda and an even par 72 from Cydney Clanton for second position at 274. Korda is the low individual through 36 holes at 10-under 134.

Germany moved into third place at 11-under-par 277 and was followed by the Philippines in fourth at 279. Host Argentina rallied early and was tied for the lead at one point but finished tied for fifth at 281 with defending champion Sweden, which jumped 11 places from the first round, South Africa and Mexico. Canada was ninth at 182, followed by and France in 10th position at 284.

Val Holland reports on South Africa’s second round and Kelli’s hole-in-one:

Hi to all back home,

Well I dont know where to start I am so excited, but I think we would need to start with Kelli’s amazing hole in one on the 5th, what a shot and has to be the shot of the day a perfect 6 iron DENTRO! (inside) Well we started with all good intentions to catch the leaders, unfortunately our first nine did not work out as planned and we were 1 over par and only 1 under for the tournament. The team new exactly what to do on that back nine and we are so so proud of them. An unbelievable 6 under par on the back nine, with Connie finding her swing, confidence and the putter started turning hot. Kelli just played the most amazing shots and unfortunatly for her the putts just wont drop she hit the first 4 irons to within 2 metres and not one putt dropped.

Kimbo had a few bad breaks on the front nine and things just did not go her way no matter what and how hard she tried, so the end result was: Connie 70 a great come back after being 2 over after nine; Kelli a great 69 and I know we can all say it but Kelli should have been another 3 or 4 under if only some of those putts had dropped. She is still up there individually, lying tied 5th and pumped to improve her position. Kimbo finished 78 but still smiling as she always does…she has just said to me that she is “over today” so I guess that sums it up from Kimbo.

A great team effort and a very very excited SA team goes into tomorrow with Korea who had the most unbelievable charge today and finished with a 63 & 65 and leading on 15 under par. USA are on 14 under, Germany 11 under, Phillipines 8 under and then the “Star SA TEAM” on 7 under.

Well I guess thats it from Argentina, will chat to you all tomorrow straight after play.

Cioa for now,

Connie, Kelli, Kim, Val & Sandra

The South African team tees off at 11.20 today at the Buenos Aires Golf Club with Argentina and Canada.

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