Three-time champion Pak takes LPGA Championship lead

(Reuters) - Hall of Famer Pak Se-ri of South Korea shrugged off the effects of a shoulder injury and pushed past a quartet of rivals to seize a one-stroke lead after 36-holes at the LPGA Championship in Pittsford, New York on Friday.

The 34-year-old Pak, winner of five major LPGA titles, shot a one-under-par 71 for a three-under-par 141 total on a windy day at a Locust Hill Country Club course lined with deep, unforgiving rough for the second women's major of the year.

"This week you come out, you don't (have) very high expectation," Pak told reporters. "Of course you really want it. My shoulder isn't any problem at all."

Pak is returning to action six weeks after suffering a partial tear to the labrum of her left shoulder in a fall down some stairs during a tournament in Mobile, Alabama.

"I'm very happy about the finish today, the round, because I got a couple of great up and downs from the rough and some great putts too," said the player who inspired a generation of South Koreans to excel at golf and make their way to the LPGA Tour.

"I'm playing really well actually. I'm really happy about it."

Tied one stroke behind Pak on 142 were 2010 U.S. Open champion Paula Creamer, who shot level par 72, 2008 U.S. Open winner Park In-bee of South Korea (70), 2010 Japan Women's Open winner Mika Miyazato (72) and Sandra Gal of Germany (71).

Six players were bunched another shot back at one-under-par 143, including former champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway.

TOUGH CONDITIONS