Lydia Ko fired a five-under-par 67 to grab a share of a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the LPGA Tournament of Champions on Friday.
Ko rattled off a hat-trick of birdies on the back nine in a bogey-free round that left her on eight-under after 36 holes at Lake Nona Country Club in Orlando, Florida.Â
The 28-year-old three-time major winner was joined at the top of the leaderboard by England's Lottie Woad, who followed up her opening 67 with a three-under-par 69.
Ko said she had carried momentum from a solid opening round on Thursday into the second round.
"I felt like I played pretty solid overall," Ko said. "I surprised myself a little bit yesterday.
"I don't know what I was expecting, but I saw a lot of good and I think I just kind of carried on that momentum to today.
"I'm in a good position leading up to some tough golf ahead."
Rising English star Woad, meanwhile, who only turned professional last year after claiming a third place finish at the Evian Championship as an amateur, drained four birdies with only one bogey in her three-under-par 69.
Woad though was frustrated at her inability to shoot a lower score after missing a series of makeable birdie putts.
"Had a lot of eight-footers for birdie and just didn't make them, which was really annoying," the 22-year-old said.
Ko and Woad lead by one shot from South Korea's Amy Yang and Japan's Nasa Hataoka.
Hataoka had lit up the course with a six-under-par opening round on Thursday but had to settle for a 71 on Friday in a mixed outing that included three birdies and two bogeys.
Sweden's Ingrid Lindblad and South Korean duo Hwang You-min and Kim A-lim are a further shot back on six under.
Thailand's world number one Jeeno Thitikul is three off the lead on five-under alongside Nelly Korda and another Thai, Chanettee Wannasaen.
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* WHAT...For the Extreme Cold Warning, dangerously cold wind chills
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* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Dallas, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion, Perry,
Pickens, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and
Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the Extreme Cold Warning, from midnight tonight to noon
CST Sunday. For the Wind Advisory, from 2 AM to 9 PM CST Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees
could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frostbite
and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these
temperatures. An extended period of subfreezing temperatures could
cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Secure outdoor objects.
Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must
go outside.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
...EXTREME COLD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON
CST SUNDAY...
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 9 PM CST SATURDAY...
* WHAT...For the Extreme Cold Warning, dangerously cold wind chills
below zero are expected. For the Wind Advisory, northwest winds 15
to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Dallas, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion, Perry,
Pickens, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and
Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the Extreme Cold Warning, from midnight tonight to noon
CST Sunday. For the Wind Advisory, from 2 AM to 9 PM CST Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees
could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frostbite
and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these
temperatures. An extended period of subfreezing temperatures could
cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Secure outdoor objects.
Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must
go outside.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
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