Hye-Jin Choi keeps Shanghai lead despite a second-round 74

Hye-Jin Choi shot 74 on Friday and still finished the second round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai two strokes ahead. Her opening 64 gave her enough room to absorb a difficult day at Sheshan Golf Club, where she reached the halfway mark at six under par.

Amy Yang and Grace Kim were the nearest challengers at four under. Yang gained ground with a 71, while Kim shot an even-par 72. Choi began Friday three shots clear; she enters the weekend with a slightly smaller advantage and two players immediately behind her.

The scoring spread explains how a round two over par could preserve first place. Only six players broke 72 in the completed second round, according to the ESPN scoring table. Esther Henseleit had the lowest score of the day, a 69. Rose Zhang shot 70, while Yang, Allisen Corpuz, Minji Kang and Sophia Schubert each returned 71.

Yang makes the biggest move among the leaders

Yang's 69-71 start put her alongside Kim, who followed an opening 68 with 72. Both had totals of 140, two behind Choi's 138. Yang was the only player among the top eight on the halfway leaderboard to finish Friday under par.

Carlota Ciganda, Erika Hara and Rio Takeda shared fourth at three under. Their second rounds went in different directions: Ciganda matched Choi's 74, Hara held level with a 72 and Takeda posted 73. Ciganda had been Choi's closest pursuer after the opening round.

Defending champion Jeeno Thitikul and home favorite Ruoning Yin were tied for seventh at two under. Thitikul shot 73 and Yin 74, leaving each four strokes behind with two rounds remaining.

The Associated Press reported that Sheshan's long par fours and small, undulating greens contributed to the difficult scoring conditions. Choi is pursuing her first LPGA Tour victory after winning 12 times in South Korea.

Henseleit and Zhang recover ground

Henseleit's 69 moved her from an opening 74 to one under overall and ninth place. Zhang followed the same opening score with a 70 to reach even par. Corpuz, Leona Maguire, Yuli Shi and Nanna Koerstz Madsen also stood at even par after 36 holes.

Those totals left only nine players under par at halfway. Gina Kim, who opened with 69, dropped to two over after a 77. Chanettee Wannasaen went from an opening 68 to a 79 and three over overall.

The tournament runs through Sunday at Sheshan, its new venue for 2026, with a $3.2 million purse. Friday's completed round leaves Choi ahead of Yang and Grace Kim as the field begins the final 36 holes.

Sources

Choi keeps a two-shot lead after a difficult Shanghai round · LPGA: Buick Shanghai leaderboard · ESPN: Buick LPGA Shanghai round two complete scores · LPGA: Sheshan hosts the 2026 Buick Shanghai field