NEW YORK – South Korean rookie Lee So-mi made the most of an unlikely opportunity on Thursday (Friday in Manila), firing a six-under-par 66 to take a two-shot lead at the LPGA Mizuho Americas Open after getting the start as second alternate.

Lee, ranked 73rd in the world, didn't have a tee time when she woke up on Thursday morning, but the 25-year-old got her chance after Caroline Masson and Maja Stark withdrew because of illness — two of four withdrawals that included the departure after three holes of defending champion Rose Zhang.