Ko struggles in 2nd round of Swinging Skirts, Choi Na-yeon leads Koreans

April 24, 2015
Lydia Ko, of New Zealand, reacts after missing a birdie putt on the ninth green of the Lake Merced Golf Club as a sign in the background wishes her a happy 18th birthday during the second round of the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic golf tournament Friday, April 24, 2015, in Daly City, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Lydia Ko, of New Zealand, reacts after missing a birdie putt on the ninth green of the Lake Merced Golf Club as a sign in the background wishes her a happy 18th birthday during the second round of the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic golf tournament Friday, April 24, 2015, in Daly City, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

By Brian Han

After Lydia Ko shot a tournament leading 5-under 67 in the first round of the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, most figured that she might be returning to the same form that made her world No. 1.

The 18-year-old who coincidentally celebrated her birthday Friday shot an even-par 72 with a fairly static scorecard that included one bogey on the par-4 second and a birdie on the par-4 13th.

Ko drove and putt the ball well, but her approach shots were a bit unwieldy leading to only 10 of 18 greens in regulation.

South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon put together a strong round to shoot a 4-under 68.

Choi is currently in second with a 7-under total.

But the low round of the day goes to tournament leader Brooke Henderson who managed to grab six birdies and an eagle during the round. She carded a 7-under 65, which included a lone bogey on the fifth.

Henderson holds a two stroke lead going into the weekend.