Chun grabs two-shot lead at Evian Championship

Defending champion Lydia Ko starts her bid for a third major title by the age of 19 at the Evian Championship, the final major of the season.

Min Ji Park shot 4-under 68 to help South Korea take a seven-stroke lead after the second round of the World Amateur Team Championship in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

The 22-year-old South Korean had shared the first-round lead on 63 with compatriot Park Sung-Hyun, but she moved two clear of the pack with a six-birdie round.

Ko blamed a wayward driver over the back nine for her struggles but says she was pleased her short game held up. "It's been like this when we were juniors because we played together, Lydia used to be No. 1, I'm second, and Brooke used to play really good", Jutanugarn said.

There has been no stopping her, and previous year she became the youngest woman or man to be ranked No. 1. It was a good thing that my putting and chipping was working. "Hopefully I'll be able to hit some fairways tomorrow".

While Ko's play was patchy, with bogey and only two birdies, rival Ariya Jutanugarn had a day to forget with 2-over 73 featuring triple bogey. Ko has clearly been the most dominant golfer on a consistent basis over the last two seasons, and considering she won this tournament a year ago it shouldn't be a surprise that she is the sports betting favorite to win The Evian Championship outright at +400 odds.

Two-time major victor Britanny Lincicome matched Chun's best-of-the-day 66 in a mixed round of nine birdies and four bogeys.

Jutanugarn didn't face the press after the round but knows she can't afford any more errors if she is to be a contender come Sunday.

Round of the day: Chun and Lincicome both turned in 66. "Without players like her, there might not be a Tour like it is today".

"It was windy and wet when we set out but I putted well and the rain stopped and it was a very good round". She's making her first appearance at the Evian Championship and said that her accuracy off the tee was key to her strong start.

"It was not a good finish a year ago", she said. "There was a lot of pressure, but I feel I play well under pressure". He added: "I think is never acceptable to use language like that".

Smith hasn't missed a cut on the LPGA Tour since mid-April and has steadily produced great results, including a T17 finish at the recent Women's British Open. Chun's fellow South Korean Park has won seven times this year in Korea and now eyes her first major.

Sarah Jane Smith is the highest-placed Australian, tied for 15th spot with a cluster of players having carded a two-under-par 69.

Of the other Australians, Minjee Lee is the most likely contender.