Maja Stark is in good shape ahead of the end of the season on the LPGA tour.
After two rounds of the Maybank Championship in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, the Swedish golf star is highest on the leaderboard.
On Thursday, the 24-year-old went 66 strokes, six under par, after both starting well with five birdies on the first six holes, and then an eagle on the 18th hole.
And also during the competition's second round, the Swede played steadily from start to finish. Stark made no major mistakes and set herself up for several birdie chances. And many of them she took advantage of.
"Trust my swing a bit more"
Another 66-round with three birdies on the first six holes, and then four straight between the 10th and 13th holes made Maja Stark climb all the way to solo lead with a total score of –12.
There are a lot of short iron shots into the green this week, and I've just tried to trust my swing a bit more than I have before. Then I've had the luck to read the putting correctly too, so it's nice, she says in Viaplay.
"Pleased with that decision"
If Stark takes home her first win on the LPGA tour this season, and her second ever, she will likely climb to a top ten position on the total points ranking, with only a month left until the final. Ahead of this week's competition, Stark is in 21st place.
Just a few minutes after Stark finished, the competition was interrupted, as a severe weather condition rolled in over the competition.
We saw the clouds surrounding us, so we really rushed through the last hole. And with hindsight, I'm pleased with that decision, says Stark.
After a long wait, the second round could finally be completed, and the Scanian woman leads by one stroke ahead of a quartet of players.