The Japan Times - World No. 11 Ko fires 63 to grab LPGA Founders Cup lead

Two-time major winner Ko, who began on the back nine, fired the day's low round to stand on 12-under 130 after 36 holes at Florida's Bradenton Country Club.

"I didn't know I was shooting eight-under," Ko said. "After scoring and I checked my score, 'Oh my God, I'm shooting like 8-under.' Was pretty good."

World number 11 Ko has won three of the past five Founders Cup crowns, taking the title in 2019, 2021 and 2023 with the 2020 event wiped out by the Covid pandemic. She seeks her 16th LPGA title and first since the 2023 Founders Cup.

Ko opened on the 10th hole with a birdie and added another at 16, then birdied the first and second holes as well as the fourth and reeled off three birdies in a row starting at the par-5 sixth.

"I focused very well and I'm just trying to do my best," Ko said. "Shot was very consistent from the tee. I had a lot of good birdie chances but I missed some putts, but still I played really nice."

A second-place pack on 132 included Japan's Minami Katsu, South Korean Im Jin-hee and Americans Angel Yin and Yealimi Noh.

Yin, who fired a bogey-free 66, won her only LPGA title in 2023 at Shanghai.

"Got good momentum, so try to keep carrying that into the weekend and see what I can do," Yin said. "A lot of players are playing really well, especially Jin-young."

Im, who fired a bogey-free 66, had her best result in her rookie season with a runner-up effort at last November's Annika tournament.

"Green is good, I can believe my line and I make it," Im said. "That's all."

Noh, seeking her first LPGA victory, fired a 64.

"I just hit it really well," Noh said. "A lot of putts dropped in. My tempo was really good today so made it simple, fairways and greens."

Noh, whose best LPGA career finish was a share of second at the 2020 Volunteers of America Classic, worked hard in the off-season to try and improve her results.

"I practiced a lot," Noh said. "I worked out a lot in the gym, getting my body ready for this season. I've got trainers everywhere and they got me in really good shape."

Top-ranked Nelly Korda, who won last year here on her hometown course, fired her second 68 to share 13th on 136.

H.Hayashi--JT