HONOLULU (AP) — Second-ranked Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand claimed a share of the second-round lead with a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole, carding a 7-under 65 on Friday at the LPGA Tour’s LOTTE Championship.
The 23-year-old, chasing her fourth LPGA Tour victory of the season, remained bogey-free after 36 holes at Hoakalei Country Club.
“We were lucky enough not to face many gusts,” Thitikul said, reflecting on mostly calm afternoon conditions following rain and wind earlier on Thursday.
Polly Mack of Germany also finished with a birdie on 18, shooting a 65 to match Thitikul at 12-under 132.
Carolina Melgrati of Italy and Ina Yoon of South Korea trail by one stroke, carding 65 and 67 respectively.
First-round leader A Lim Kim, the defending champion, sits at 10-under alongside Michelle Zhang (67). Kim won the 2024 edition of the tournament.
Nasa Hataoka (65) and Miyu Yamashita (67) of Japan are 9-under.
The event serves as a lead-in to a month of tournaments in Asia, beginning with the Buick LPGA Shanghai from Oct. 15-18.