As temperatures soar at the HSBC Women's World Championship, South Korean Inbee Park shares the lead with compatriot Hee Young Park at Sentosa Golf Club. Only French competitor Céline Boutier returns to business with a very good 69 (-3) and is 37th at -2 overall.

HSBC Women's World Championship Inbee Park takes the lead

Inbee Park at the HSBC Women's World Championship 2021 - © LPGA

After a first lap in 64 Thursday, Inbee Park co-leader returned 5 birdies for 2 bogeys, touching less greens than the day before (13 against 16 Thursday). His compatriot and part partner Hee Young Park played a better shot in this second round to return to a level tie with the world number 2, notably thanks to a birdie at the 18th.

"I hit a lot of good shots, but I probably let myself a lot of putts between 3 and 4,5m, and I was able to hit most of them, which made the difference this year"said Park.

The South Korean's last victory dates back to the Kia Classic in March 2021. Inbee Park has already won the 2015 HSBC Women's World Championship, the first of two victories in Singapore. She said that as her confidence improved, she remembered those victorious experiences from the 'lion city'.

“It brought back good memories of me playing well on the course today, this time I can lift that trophy again, I thought about it. Good memories make me concentrate even more ”, said Inbee Park.

One stroke behind, Hee Young Park, at -7, had his best score since his third round at the 2019 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic (65). Hee Young Park went off with a birdie on the first hole, but said she really felt the odds turn in her favor with her eagle on No 10.

“I just tried to survive with that heat, which is… I love it, but after playing the first nine holes I had a great time with a No 10 eagle. And then I played with some cool girls today and we tried to have fun in the heat. So I think everything is fine, like everything is easy. You have to touch the fairways and the greens and then it is easy to stay in the par and sometimes get out of the birdies. "

Park, from South Korea, has not been back to Asia for over a year and a half, and is happy to be back in a comfortable environment. “I have a lot of fond memories of tournaments in Singapore, Thailand and Asia. It always reminds me that I played well before and it makes me think I can do it again. It inspires me all the time, so I think it helps me ”

Céline Boutier back to business

The only Frenchwoman entered this week at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, is back in business, after a first lap over the par, the Francilienne reacted well after a bogey at 3,. Author of four birdies in this second round, Céline Boutier signs a very good card of 69 (-3) and climbs up to 37th position in the provisional classification.

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To read our last article on the same subject :

LPGA: Michelle Wie wins the HSBC Women's World Championship