Ji Eun-hee leads LPGA Taiwan, Ko one stroke behind

October 23, 2015
Ji Eun-hee of South Korea (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)

Ji Eun-hee of South Korea (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)

By Brian Han

South Korea’s Ji Eun-hee will enter the weekend with the lead at the LPGA Taiwan Championship, but not without World No. 2 Lydia Ko nipping at her heels.

Ji put together a 3-under 69 on Friday, but something seemed to bother her on more than a few swings on the course.

“Actually I hurt my back today, this morning actually,” she told reporters after her round. “So this one, just bothering me on my swing, and especially with my driver.”

Luckily her inaccuracy off the tee didn’t affect her overall game too much except on the par-5 sixth. She pulled her drive way left into a heavily wooded area and had to take a penalty to end up with a double bogey.

The 29-year-old South Korean hasn’t won in over five years, but her two career victories came from major wins at the 2008 LPGA Championship and the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open..

Korean New Zealander Lydia Ko crafted together an impressive 5-under 67 round as she hit 12 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens in regulation.

The 18-year-old is looking to regain her world No. 1 ranking from South Korea’s Park Inbee. She has a chance to do that this week with a win depending on how Park plays at the LPGA KB Financial Star Championship in South Korea where she is currently tied for seventh.