Former Gorman star Park leads at LPGA major

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Inbee Park took the second-round lead Friday in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, making three birdies in a row early on the back nine and rebounding from a wind-blown bogey with four straight pars.

Finishing in gusty conditions on another hot afternoon at Mission Hills, the 24-year-old South Korean player shot a 5-under-par 67 to reach 7 under.

“Obviously, I putted really good out there, especially on the back nine,” said Park, a former Bishop Gorman High School star. “The wind picked up, so it was tough out there on the back nine. Last four holes, I made all pars. I’m really happy with that.”

American Lizette Salas was a stroke back after a 68, and Sweden’s Carolina Hedwall and Italy’s Giulia Sergas followed at 5 under. Hedwall had a 68, and Sergas shot 69.

Park is seeking her second major title after winning the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open Championship. She won the LPGA Thailand in February for her fourth LPGA Tour victory when 17-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn closed with a triple bogey to blow a two-stroke lead.

“I just like to stay a little quiet and just do my own thing,” Park said. “If I win a little more, I think I’ll get a little bit more attention.”