Chonburi, Thailand (My Sportsbook) - Suzann Pettersen fired an eight-under 64 on Friday to move into sole possession of the second-round lead at the LPGA Tour's season-opening Honda PTT LPGA Thailand.
Pettersen, who shared the opening-round lead with M.J. Hur, finished 36 holes at 14-under 130 and is three strokes clear at Siam Country Club. That score is a new tournament record, breaking her own mark from three years ago.
Hee Young Park posted a six-under 66 on Friday and is alone in second at minus-11, followed by Ai Miyazato, who carded her second straight 67 to finish two rounds at 10-under 134.
Pettersen wasted little time in getting into red figures in Friday's second round. She birdied her first two holes and added back-to-back birdies at six and seven to reach 10-under par for the championship.
On the second nine, Pettersen recorded her second birdie in as many rounds at the par-five 10th hole. She birdied No. 13 and was 12-under par through only 31 holes of the tournament.
Pettersen, who eagled the last hole in the final round en route to victory in 2007, closed strongly on Friday. She birdied 15 and birdied the par-five 18th. In total through two rounds, Pettersen is four-under par over the final two holes, thanks in large part to an eagle on 18 Thursday.
"There are some great finishing holes," said Pettersen, a six-time winner on the LPGA Tour. "A very good par four at 17 and 18, anything is possible. You can make a three with two good shots."
Pettersen won last season in Canada, but has a great record at this championship. In addition to her title in 2007, she set the 18-hole (63), 36- hole (133) and 54-hole records (196). The event returned to Siam Country Club this year, although Pettersen didn't realize it.
"I didn't know until I got on the bus," admitted Pettersen, third in the world rankings. "Everyone said, 'well, you must be glad to be back.' I said, 'no, not really because I think I barely finished in the top 50 last year.' Then they said it was the Old Course.
"When I played the practice round, there was nothing that stood out in my mind. Two years of playing and practice and I feel like I can play it differently. I can shape the ball with much more control now than two years ago. I'm just trying to use my repertoire."
Momoko Ueda (65), Maria Hjorth (66) and Song-Hee Kim (68) share fourth place at minus-nine. Yani Tseng shot a 68 on Friday and is one stroke further back at eight-under 136.
Catriona Matthew (68), Karrie Webb (69) and Nontaya Srisawang (69) are knotted in eighth at minus-six.
Defending champion and world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa only had an even-par 72 on Friday and fell into a tie for 18th at three-under 141.
NOTES: Hur struggled to a two-over 74 on Friday and dipped into a tie for 13th at minus-four...Michelle Wie is also at that number after a 68 in round two...Cristie Kerr posted a one-under 71 and is tied for 11th at five-under par...Paula Creamer withdrew due to a left-hand injury. She said on her Twitter account she is headed to Detroit to see a hand specialist...There is no cut at this event.