RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Lizette Salas thought like a major champion late in the second round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Come Sunday, her wise decision Friday on Mission Hills’ par-5 closing hole might land her in the very hazard she avoided — for the traditional victory plunge in Poppie’s Pond.

After driving into the left rough and hitting her second across the fairway into the right rough, she had a choice between a risky shot to the island green or a safe play back to the fairway. She took the second option, setting up a three-quarter wedge approach from 88 yards that she hit to 3 feet for a round-saving par.

“It was not a good lie and I knew if I would go for it, it would probably go in the water,” Salas said. “I’m comfortable in my short game and I’m not a long hitter, so I have to make it up some way. I’ve been working hard dialing in with my wedges because that’s your go-to club. I just trusted it and went with my first instinct.”

Salas shot a 4-under 68 to finish a stroke behind leader Inbee Park in the first major championship of the year, a tournament the 23-year-old daughter of Mexican immigrants first attended as teenager when she came to see Mexican star Lorena Ochoa.

Park shot a 67 to reach 7 under. The 24-year-old South Korean made three birdies in a row early on the back nine and rebounded from a wind-blown bogey with four straight pars.

Park is seeking her second major title after winning the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open.

Michelle Wie followed her opening 72 with a 70 to reach 2 under. She had six birdies, but three-putted the 18th for the last of her four bogeys.