CHICAGO, Illinois– Ryu So-Yeon, who is seeking her first win of 2018, shot a five-under 67 to seize the sole lead at the halfway stage of the LPGA’s Meijer Classic on Friday.

South Korea’s Ryu got off to a smooth start with back-to-back birdies on her opening holes, but then carded three bogyes in five holes before the turn. She righted the ship coming home, however, with five birdies on the back, including three straight beginning on the par-three fourth hole.

“I hit bad tee shots, quite a lot today, but my putting was good enough to make it,” said Ryu. “I made quite a lot of birdies after I made three bogeys so I’m happy with 67 today.”

Ryu finished with a 13-under 131 and has a one-shot lead over Germany’s Sandra Gal and Sakura Yokomine of Japan, who both shot 64 at the Blythefield Country Club course in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Caroline Masson shot a six-under 66 and is alone in fourth at 11-under 133.

Ryu is hoping that a good performance in Grand Rapids will earn her a spot on South Korea’s four-person team for the upcoming UL International Crown tournament.

“I played 2014 and 2016 (UL) International Crown and I know how cool the tournament is going to be,” she said.

Lee-Anne Pace, Anna Nordqvist and Oh Su-Hyun are just three back of Ryu at 10-under.

Yokomine and Gal shot identical numbers for the second consecutive round to get to 12-under.

The 32-year-old Yokomine is aiming for her first title on the USLPGA Tour but she is no stranger to winning, having claimed 23 career victories on the Japan tour. AFP