GALLOWAY, New Jersey — Soo Bin Joo thrived in a raging wind off the Atlantic Ocean inlets for a 3-under 68, closing with a long two-putt birdie on the 18th hole and watching her lead to grow to four shots by the end of a taxing day at the ShopRite LPGA.
Joo, whose only professional win was on the Epson Tour two years ago, finished two different rounds at Seaview Hotel at 8-under 134.
"I was barely making pars on the golf course today and yesterday was like going for birdies on every single hole," Joo said. "So different game plan and a different mindset. I think that put me in a good position today."
Japanese twins Chizzy and Aki Iwai each scratched out a 68 and were in the group of players four shots behind that included Celine Boutier of France (72), Somi Lee of South Korea (69) and Israeli player Laetitia Beck, who started with a one-shot lead and tumbled to a 75,
"Today was extremely windy, so definitely was much harder to judge club selections, and putts were also much harder," Beck said. "That's where I pretty much struggled today. I didn't make putts."
That's wasn't a problem for Joo, who took only 25 putts. She dropped only one shot, on the opening hole, and wondered if it was a sign of what was to come. AP
