Seo leads, Wie contends on LPGA Tour

CARLSBAD, Calif., March 26 (UPI) -- Hee Kyung Seo, playing on a sponsor's exemption, shot a 5-under 67 Friday and took a one-shot lead at the 36-hole mark of the Kia Classic.

Seo finished two rounds at 7-under 137 to edge In-Kyung Kim, who finished at 138 following a 69.

Michelle Wie leaped into contention at 139 by firing a 67, joining Vicky Hurst, Song-Hee Kim and Seon Hwa Lee in a tie for third.

Wie, 20, is attempting to win her second LPGA Tour event after grabbing her first title in Mexico last year.

"The course is long, the greens are small and the rough is high," Wie said of the La Costa Resort layout. "But it's an old-fashioned golf course and it's in nice condition, so hopefully during the weekend I can make a lot more birdies."

This is the first full-field LPGA Tour event in the United States since last November. The first two tournaments on the circuit this year were played in Asia and both were won by Ai Miyazato, who is trying to become the first player in tour history to capture the first three events of a season. She shot a 72 Friday and was tied for 37th place.