Park Hyun-kyung failed to record a single birdie in the second round. To make matters worse, she carded five bogeys for a 5-over-par 77, dropping four places to a tie for fourth at even-par 144.
In the first round, Park had only one bogey. Combined with a 156-yard eagle shot and four birdies, she fired a 5-under-par 67 to take the sole lead. With cold rain falling and an extremely difficult course, only nine players finished under par, including Park.
At the JLPGA Tour V-Point × SMBC Ladies Golf Tournament second round held on the 21st at Murasaki Country Club (par-72) in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, Park remains within striking distance of victory.
Only five players shot under par on this day, and no one broke into the 60s.
The leader is JLPGA's top-ranked player Sakuma Shuri of Japan, who played alongside Park in the same group. Sakuma swept major titles last year including scoring average, Player of the Year, and money list, and also won this season's opening tournament.
However, the gap between the leader and Park is just two strokes. Sakuma also dropped two shots, posting a two-round total of 2-under-par 142. Kamiya Sora and Ryu Ritsuko, both of Japan, share second place at 1-under-par 143 after each gaining two strokes.
Park's bogeys came predominantly on the front nine. She dropped shots at the 3rd (par-4), 4th (par-5), 6th (par-3), and 7th holes (par-5). On the back nine, she made one bogey at the 12th hole (par-5). After recording one birdie and three pars on the par-5 holes in the first round, Park managed only one par against three bogeys on the four par-5 holes on this day.
Still, Park will challenge for a come-from-behind victory from two strokes back in a tie for fourth. Lee Min-young, who competes in Japan, will also attempt a comeback from a tie for seventh at 1-over-par 145. This tournament determines the winner over three rounds totaling 54 holes.