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KARUIZAWA, Japan (AP) — Brooke Henderson shot a 3-under 69 on Thursday to help Canada retain a two-stroke lead after the second round of the Women's World Amateur Team Championship.
The 16-year-old Henderson, the low amateur at the U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Women's Amateur runner-up, had five birdies and two bogeys on Karuizawa 72 Golf East's Iriyama Course. She opened with a bogey-free 66 on Wednesday on the Oshitate Course.
"My game, in the middle of the round, was really good," said Henderson, No. 2 in the world amateur ranking. "It was great to get that birdie on 18 to get into the 60s. Any day in the 60s is a good day."
Brittany Marchand added a 70 to give Canada a two-day total of 14-under 274. Augusta James had a 76, with only the top two scores each day counting in the team total.
"What I saw today in Brooke, Augusta and Brittany was just tremendous determination," team captain Liz Hoffman said. "They really worked hard at focusing and playing every shot to the best of their ability. I'm very proud of the team today."
Japan was second after its round at Oshitate. Minami Katsu shot 65, Eri Okayama 67, and Yumi Matsubara 69. The 16-year-old Katsu won a Japan LPGA event in April at 15 to become the tour's youngest champion.
Two-time defending champion South Korea was third at 11 under. So-Young Lee had a 69 at Oshitate, Hye-Jin Choi added a 71, and Gyeol Park shot 75.
The United States was tied for 10th at 6 under. U.S. Women's Amateur champion Kristen Gillman and Alison Lee shot 70 at Iriyama, and Emma Talley had a 72.
"Kristen hit the ball really well today," U.S. captain Martha Lang said. "She could definitely have gone lower. Alison didn't hit it as well and Emma hit it well but didn't make any putts. If we can make some putts and get on a roll, we can make some headway because it is there. They are hitting a lot of greens and they are hitting it close but we've got to start making some putts."
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