RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico – Hye Jin Choi shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to help push South Korea's lead to 14 strokes Friday in the Women's World Amateur Team Championships.
Sixteen-year-old Min Ji Park added a 70 at Iberostar Playa Paraiso for a 19-under 413 total , with only the best two scores counting each day for the three-player teams. Hyun Kyung Park had a 71.
The 17-year-old Choi, the low amateur at the 2016 U.S. Women's Open, also topped the individual standings at 9-under 207 — three strokes ahead of Switerland's Kim Metraux.
"I am happy to be leading the team and the individual leaderboards, but this championship is more important for the team event, so I am trying not to think about being individual leader and am focused on winning the team event," Choi said. "Although there is a big gap, I will try to think this is the first round tomorrow and focus more on my game and then maybe a better result will come."
South Korea won the Espirito Santo Trophy in 1996, 2010 and 2012.
"Some of my players are not really satisfied with their games but I am 100 percent satisfied with their games," South Korean captain Sang-Won Ko said. "Of course, everyone makes mistakes, but I'm OK with that. As I said yesterday, I just want them to enjoy the game and enjoy playing with the other players."
Switzerland was second. Metraux had a 69, sister and Florida State teammate Morgane Metraux shot 76, and Azelia Meichtry had an 82.
The United States was seventh at 4 over. Andrea Lee shot 70, Mariel Galdiano 75, and Katelyn Dambaugh 78.
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