Two-time LPGA Tour participant of the 12 months Jin Young Ko shot her second straight 4-under 68 on Friday within the Founders Cup and shared the midway lead with 37-year-old non-winner Sarah Kemp.

Kemp, whose finest end on tour is a tie for second in 2019, had a one-stroke lead with three holes to play however pulled her drive on the par 4 sixteenth at Upper Montclair Country Club. The Australian was wanting the elevated inexperienced on her second shot and missed an extended par putt after a chip from a tricky stance. She had a 65 to match Ko at 8-under 136.

“I think this is going to be the week, every week,” Kemp mentioned, “But it’s just such a small percent that win, right? Everyone’s win percentage is real small. I think if I keep doing what I’m doing now maybe I’ll get close soon.”

Kemp’s finest end this 12 months in six occasions — together with a workforce occasion — was a tie for thirteenth within the JM Eagle LA Championship.

Defending champion Minjee Lee (69), South Korean rookie Hae Ran Ryu (70) and Aditi Ashok (68) of India, had been a shot behind the leaders and one forward of American Cheyenne Knights (70).

Nasa Hataoka, Peiyun Chien, Hye-Jin Choi, Albane Valenzuela, Stephanie Kyriacou and Angel Yin had been in a bunch three photographs behind the leaders within the occasion that honors the LPGA Tour’s 13 founders.

Ko had a bogey-free spherical that included 4 birdies on her remaining 10 holes, together with a second straight 3 at No. 18. The world’s No. 3 ranked girl appeared destined to carry the outright lead till Kemp, taking part in in a late afternoon threesome, made eight birdies in 15 holes to take the lead, solely to slide barely.

Ko has modified her pre-round preparation this week as a result of he felt tied. She is displaying up an hour earlier than her spherical as a substitute of two as a result of she had felt drained.

“It was awesome,” Ko mentioned. “I had a great round today, also yesterday, too. I tried to make a bogey-free round, and I made it.”

Ko, who received her second straight HSBC Women’s World Championship in March, additionally received this occasion in 2019 and 2021, coinciding together with her participant of the 12 months awards.

Lee, who shot a second-round 63 final 12 months transfer into the lead, hasn’t been interested by defending her title.

“I just wanted to have two good rounds to start the week, and I’m in a good position for the weekend,” she mentioned.

Ashok, who was the primary participant from India to hitch the tour in 2017 and stays the one one, had six birdies and two bogeys.

Ryu bogeyed the ultimate three holes on the again 9 after which kick began her spherical with an eagle on the par 5 No. 2.

Sei Young Kim, who shot a bogey-free 66 on Thursday to take the lead, had 5 bogeys and a birdie in rocketing to 76 on Friday. The South Korean was six photographs behind in dampening her hopes for her first win since 2020.

Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis, who received this occasion in 2013, was at 4 below, a shot forward of Brittany Lincicome and Atthaya Thitikul. Lexi Thompson was at 1 below, whereas Nelly Korda shot a 74 and was at 2 over, one over the minimize line.