PRATTVILLE, September 17, 2011 (AFP) - American teen Alexis Thompson fired a four-under 68 Friday to grab a two-shot lead following the first two rounds of the LPGA Tour's Navistar Classic.
Thompson, 16, reached 10-under 134, two strokes in front of fellow American Stacy Lewis and Becky Morgan of Wales.
"I'm playing smart and just making birdies," Thompson said. "I'm just trying to do my best. That's all I can do."
Meena Lee, who came within one shot of tying the course record with an eight-under 64, is third at seven-under 137.
The tournament appears to bring out the best in Thompson. She was a 14-year-old amateur two years ago when she was tied for the Navistar lead after two rounds before finishing 27th. Last year she tied for 16th as a professional.
"I remember teeing off like in the last few groups, but I don't remember really how I played," Thompson said. "I don't know. I just love playing here."
Italy's Giulia Sergas, South Korean Seo Hee-Kyung and first-round leader Jennifer Johnson are all tied at six-under 138.
Johnson fired a one-over 73 on Friday.
"Every day, every tournament is just a learning experience," said Johnson.
"Being at the top of the leaderboard, that's new for me. Hopefully, I can end the year with a couple more on top of the leaderboard."
Leading scores on Friday after the second round of the $1.3 million LPGA Navistar Classic (USA unless noted, par 72):
134 - Alexis Thompson 66-68
136 - Stacy Lewis 68-68, Becky Morgan (GBR) 67-69
137 - Meena Lee (KOR) 73-64
138 - Giulia Sergas (ITA) 72-66, Hee Kyung Seo (KOR) 71-67, Jennifer Johnson 65-73
139 - Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 73-66, Brittany Lang 71-68, Jin Young Pak (KOR) 70-69, Amanda Blumenherst 68-71
140 - Se Ri Pak (KOR) 72-68, Karen Stupples (GBR) 72-68, Inbee Park (KOR) 71-69, Katherine Hull (AUS) 70-70, Jenny Shin (KOR) 70-70, Samantha Richdale (CAN) 69-71, Morgan Pressel 69-71, Amy Yang (KOR) 69-71, Haru Nomura (JPN) 69-71, Suzann Pettersen (NOR) 68-72, Alison Walshe 67-73
141 - Jennifer Rosales (PHI) 73-68, Paula Creamer 73-68, Alena Sharp (CAN) 72-69, Juli Inkster 72-69, Yani Tseng (TPE) 68-73, Pat Hurst 68-73
142 - Jennie Lee 74-68, Song-Hee Kim (KOR) 74-68, Heather Bowie Young 73-69, Stephanie Sherlock (CAN) 73-69, Angela Stanford 73-69, Jee Young Lee (KOR) 73-69, Mina Harigae 72-70, Brittany Lincicome 72-70, Belen Mozo (ESP) 71-71, Vicky Hurst 71-71, Jessica Shepley (CAN) 70-72, Chella Choi (KOR) 69-73, Paige MacKenzie 68-74