Katsu surges ahead with course record 61

Japan's Minami Katsu holed a long putt on the 18th hole to finish with a course record 11-under-par 61 yesterday to take a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the LPGA Shanghai tournament.

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Minami Katsu of Japan has shot 11-under to beat the course record.

(AFP)

Katsu shot six birdies on the front nine and, after a bogey at the par-4 10th, she picked up six more birdies at the par-72 Qizhong Garden Golf Club.

The 27-year-old, who moved to 13-under 131 after two rounds, is in search of her first victory on the LPGA Tour. “It was pretty flawless round — couple luck ones I think but really good round overall,’ Katsu said. “My career-best was 10 under, so new [personal] record today”

Katsu said she wasn’t thinking about any records as she carded 12 birdies, and just concentrated on the basics. She lowered the course record set by Korean Kim Sei-Young last year by one stroke.