Ryu stretches lead at LPGA Black Desert Championship

Ryu Hae-ran shook off a slow start with an eagle and four birdies in a five-under par 67 on Friday that gave her a two-stroke lead midway through the LPGA Black Desert Championship in Utah.

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Ryu started the day with a one-shot lead after a bogey-free nine-under opening round.

She struggled to get going, dropping a shot before back-to-back birdies at the fifth and sixth and an eagle at the par-five ninth. She added two more birdies coming in for a five-under par 67 and a 14-under total of 130.

Ryu has wasted no time in contending after a disappointing finish in the first major of the year last week. She shared the 54-hole lead at the Chevron Championship but faded on Sunday and missed out on the five-woman playoff won by Japan's Mao Saigo.