Defending champ Choi leads in Malaysia; amateur Lee disqualified

• By Will Gray
• Oct 12, 2012 11:16 AM ET

Defending champion Na Yeon Choi posted a 4-under 67 Friday to take the lead at the halfway point of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

Choi, who won the U.S. Women's Open earlier this season, carded six birdies against two bogeys during her second round and leads by two strokes over American Sydnee Michaels.

"I think I had a pretty good round today," Choi commented. "I really like to play this golf course. I have a lot of confidence."

A group of players three shots behind Choi includes Lizette Salas, whose second-round 67 was highlighted by an ace on the par-3 15th hole, and Suzann Pettersen, whose bogey-free 64 was the best round recorded on Friday.

"Today was a very solid round. I had a lot of easy birdies," explained Pettersen. "My game has been feeling right there, but I haven't been able to fire on all cylinders at the same time. Today was nice to get a low round."

Taiwanese amateur Min Lee, who was one shot off the lead after the first round, shot a 2-over 73 Friday but was disqualified when she signed an incorrect scorecard. Having also been disqualified from last month's Taiwan Amateur Championship for the same offense, the 17-year-old signed for a 4 on the par-4 13th hole when she had actually made a bogey 5.

A runner-up at this event a year ago, World No. 1 Yani Tseng continued to struggle, shooting a 1-over 72 Friday as she now finds herself T-61 in the 69-player field after 36 holes, 18 shots behind the leader Choi.