Albatross keeps Yan Liu in front at Chevron Championship

HOUSTON – China’s Yan Liu recorded a rare albatross – a three-under score on a hole – and emerged with the lead after the second round of the Chevron Championship on April 25 in The Woodlands, Texas.

On the par-five eighth hole at The Club at Carlton Woods, her second shot impressively found the hole.

Liu wound up shooting an even-par 72, leaving her at seven-under 137 in the first LPGA Major of the season.

She said of her albatross: “I take my 7-iron and I see the ball (went) in, so that’s a really cool thing. But I think (the TV crew doesn’t) have video for that hole. Little sad.

“I think I jumped twice on the fairway. Just very happy and so excited. Players in (my) group say congrats to me, so that’s very nice.”

Four players are tied for second at six under – Lindy Duncan (66),Sarah Schmelzel (68),Japan’s Mao Saigo (68) and South Korea’s Kim Hyo-joo (71).

Angel Yin (70),Belgium’s Manon De Roey (71) and South Koreans Choi Hye-jin (71) and Ryu Hae-ran (74) share sixth place at five under. Ryu and Liu were the co-leaders after the opening round.

Additionally, China’s Zhang Weiwei was five under through 15 holes and five under for the tournament when play was suspended due to darkness.

Liu, a 27-year-old who has yet to win an LPGA event, admitted she will feel some pressure entering the weekend.

“I think definitely I will feel a little bit, because this – well, this is Major,” she said. “I know the course going to be harder, harder, so I think just I just stay patient, calm. Because I’m very emotional person, yes.”

World No. 1 and defending champion Nelly Korda bounced back from a 77 in the first round with