Lewis guns for number one as she leads HSBC Women's golf

SINGAPORE: America's Stacy Lewis took a step forward in her quest to replace Tseng Yani as women's world number one as she shot a red-hot six-under-par 66 to seize control of the HSBC Women's Champions on Friday.

The world number four started the day two back from overnight leader Azahara Munoz, but she holed three birdies on both the front and back nine to head into the weekend two shots clear at Singapore's par-72 Sentosa Golf Club.

Snapping at the heels of her 11-under-par total of 133 were Choi Na-Yeon, the world number two, fellow South Korean Chella Choi, 17-year-old Thai sensation Ariya Jutanugarn, and Paula Creamer, who is battling whiplash injuries from a car crash last week.

First round leader Munoz, of Spain, and South Korea's Yoo Sun-Young were also among the six players bracketed at nine-under-par 135.

Taiwan's Tseng, who has topped the rankings for 107 weeks but is now defending a dramatically reduced lead, got off to a bad-tempered start when she mis-hit her first tee shot and gesticulated at a photographer.

The 24-year-old then double-bogeyed the fourth hole and couldn't repair the damage, ending the day with 73 and eight shots adrift of Lewis, with her hopes diminishing of a first win in nearly a year.

Lewis led last week's Honda LPGA Thailand before being overhauled on day three by Ariya, and she will be looking over her shoulder at the young Thai who matched her score of 66, highlighted by a sizzling iron shot to one foot on the 18th.

The 28-year-old American said a shift in her putting grip and a reminder to stay relaxed could help her stay in front as she seeks the sixth LPGA victory of her career.

Lewis, who spent most of her teenage years in a back brace to correct a curve in her spine, also said her goal remained being crowned world number one, which now looks a realistic prospect after Tseng's dominance faded over last season. (AFP)