Australian golf star Minjee Lee has hung tough in testing conditions to snare the second-round lead at the LPGA's prestigious BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.
As many of her rivals foundered, Lee showcased her sublime ball striking to grind out a three-under-par 69 on Friday to reel in, then move past, overnight leader Ashleigh Buhai.
Unlike in her record-setting opening round of 62, Buhai could only battle to a one-over 73 at the windswept Seowon Valley Country Club to invite her pack of pursuers back into the tournament.
As the South African faltered on the back nine, Lee took full advantage at the $US2.2 million event widely regarded as women's golf's major of Asia to establish a two-shot halfway lead.
That didn't seem likely mid-round.
After starting the day in a tie for third just two shots off the pace, Lee fell four strokes behind after making bogey at the fifth hole.
The Perth ace remained four back even after picking up birdies on the seventh and 11th holes as Buhai surged to 13 under early on the back nine.
But out of nowhere a three-putt bogey on No.13 precipitated three dropped shots in three holes from the South African, who hadn't had a prior blemish all tournament.
The highlight of Lee's round came at the par-5 11th.
After pulling her second shot onto a cart path, the world No.7 had to take relief.
But the two-time major winner showed all her class to recover with a delicate chip off the tightest of lies, then drained the 15-foot birdie putt to stay in touch with the leaders.
Further birdies at the 15th and the last, after a beautiful approach off a downhill lie, suddenly thrust Lee into the outright lead.
The 27-year-old is coming off her first win of the year at the Kroger Queen City Championship last month and a tie for 13th at last week’s Buick LPGA Shanghai.
A win in the Republic of Korea would be special for Lee, whose parents are both from the country.
"I have a really deep heritage here so I always love coming back and playing," Lee said.
"Being at the top of the leaderboard is always nice, and being in contention is always my goal. So hopefully I can have a great weekend."
After dropping four shots in her last six holes, Buhai found herself sharing second at nine under with American Alison Lee (72) following the stunning late six-stroke swing.
New Zealand's defending champion Lydia Ko (69) shares fourth at eight under with home hopes Jeongeun Lee6 (68) and Hae Ran Ryu (71)
With Buhai, the reigning Australian Open champion and 2022 British Open winner, backing up after threatening to run away from the field, Lee's fellow Australians Hannah Green and Steph Kyriacou also remain in the mix.
Green will enter the weekend six shots behind Lee in a share of 12th at five under following a second-round 70.
Kyriacou is two strokes further adrift in a tie for 25th following a one-over round of 73.
