Golf:US Open champion Ryu So-yeon fired a stunning 11-under-par round of 61 to take a four-shot lead at the midway point of the Australian Ladies Masters on the Gold Coast today.
Incredibly the South Korean was one over after two holes on Friday after bogeying the par-four second, but she then embarked on a remarkable run that brought her 12 birdies in the remaining 16 holes to move to 17 under for the tournament at Royal Pines.
Ryu, who shot a blemish-free opening-round 66, bounced back from her bogey on two with successive birdies in the next five holes before turning in 31.
The 21-year-old then came back in 30 after further birdies on the 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th.
That left Ryu four shots clear of nearest challenger Christel Boeljon of Holland, who carded a 65. Three shots further back were overnight leader Lee Bo-mee of South Korea and Australian Nikki Campbell.
Lee held a one-shot lead after shooting a 65 on day one, but she could only score 69 today to slip well adrift of her compatriot Ryu.
Italian Diana Luna and American Amelia Lewis both impressed today with eight-under-par 64s to move into joint fifth place alongside England Felicity Johnson's on nine under.
Teenager Lydia Ko followed up her two-under-par round of 70 on Thursday with a 69 on Friday to leave her on five under for the tournament.
The 14-year-old New Zealand amateur became the youngest winner of a professional tour event with victory in the New South Wales Open last week.
