DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - In-Kyung Kim shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 Thursday to build a two-shot lead over Michelle Wie at the halfway point of the Dubai Ladies Masters.
The South Korean, who won the Longs Drugs Challenge this year, believes she could have done better.
"I feel very happy with my round, but I had some more chances for birdies," said Kim, who leads at 135. "I could have gotten a little bit lower. The little putts were hard to read."
Wie shot 68 in a round that included six birdies and two bogeys. Tania Elosegui (66), who made a hole-in-one on No. 7, and Amy Yang are a shot behind Wie.
Wie started with three straight birdies, but missed chances on the final three holes.
"I feel like I'm having a lot of fun on the golf course. But I also feel like I'm playing pretty consistent," Wie said. "I want to make a lot more birdies and keep playing better every day."
By the time Wie teed off, Kim had already posted her 65.
"I saw the scoring was really low and I was like, 'I have to start out like this.' So I just went out there and it kind of worked out," Wie said.
Overnight leader Maria Hjorth (73) made a triple-bogey 8 on the final hole and dropped into a tie for fifth at 139.
British Open champion Catriona Matthew (68) kept up her effort to overtake Sophie Gustafson at the top of the money list, joining Hjorth at 5-under overall.
Gustafson (69) is two shots further back.