CHONBURI, Thailand (AP): World No. 1-ranked Jeeno Thitikul shot a 9-under 63 on Friday that moved her into second place at her home LPGA Thailand tournament on the Siam Country Club Old Course.
Thitikul trails second-rounder leader Somi Lee by three strokes after Lee shot a 61, including an eagle 2 from the fairway on the 15th hole.
The South Korean player had a two-round total of 17-under 127.
The tournament, about 125 kilometers (75 miles) east of Bangkok, is the first of three events in Asia in consecutive weeks, to be followed by those in Singapore and China in the so-called early Asian swing on the LPGA Tour.
Japan’s Chizzy Iwai shot a bogey-free 62 that moved her into a tie for third place with New Zealander Lydia Ko (64), four off the lead.
Thitikul had four birdies and an eagle over the last six holes of her front nine on Friday, then birdied her 10th and 11th holes to move into the lead after trailing by two after the first round.
But Thitikul cooled off on the remainder of her back nine, registering six straight pars before a birdie on 18.
Canadian Brooke Henderson had a 68 and was at 5-under, 12 strokes behind Lee. Defending champion Angel Yin had a 75 and was at even par. -- AP
