CLE ELUM, Wash. -- Sophomore Kyung Kim is tied for the individual lead while sophomore Annie Park is fifth as No. 1 Southern California, in a roller coaster round, saw its multi-shot lead turned into a late deficit before finishing tied for first after the second round of the NCAA West Region on Friday at the Tumble Creek Club at Suncadia Resort.
The Trojans combined for a second-round 294 and now stand at 2-over 578 (284-294) tied with No. 6 Arizona State. Host Washington is third at 4-over 580 while No. 7 Oklahoma is the only other team within shouting distance, fourth at 10-over 586.
NCAA West, Central and East Regionals, each made up of 24 teams, conducted May 8-10, will determine the championship final field. The top eight teams plus two individuals from each field will advance to the championship round, scheduled for May 20-23 at the Tulsa (Oklahoma) C.C.
The Trojans, who already have a season-record eight wins this season, are seeking their NCAA-best 10th regional win and fifth in a row.
Kim is tied for first at 4-under 140 (66-74) while Park finished at 2-under 142 (71-71). In a round that started on the 10th hole, Kim was even on her first 9 with a birdie on 18 and 2-over on the back. She is tied with Arizona State's Noemi Jimenez.Park appeared on her way to her 11th round in the 60s this season when she started out at 5-under through 12 holes, but she went a combined 4-over on the 5th, 6th and 7th holes before finishing with a pair of pars.
Freshman Karen Chung rebounded from her 5-over Thursday with an even round and moved into a tie for 20th at 5-over 149 (77-72). She was 1-over on her first 9 with a birdie on 18 and closed with birdies on 8 and 9 to get to par for the day.
Junior Doris Chen is tied for 25th at 6-over 150 (72-78) while senior Sophia Popov is tied for 38th at 8-over 152 (75-77). Popov was 2-under on her front but lost momentum on the back, as did Chen, who lost four strokes on her final two holes.
USC will begin its final round with co-leader ASU and third-place Washington at 11:36 a.m ET.
