Ko, the 2024 tournament winner and ambassador of Hilton Grand Vacations, is the only player in the field of 39 women without a bogey after two days. The Hall of Famer has 23 LPGA Tour victories.
“I’ve had to hole some good par putts, but I haven’t put myself in that many difficult positions yet,” said New Zealand’s Ko. “I think that’s why I had the two bogey-free rounds. I hope to continue this good momentum this weekend.”
Woad shot a 69 to match Ko at 8-under 136 in mostly sunny conditions with up to 12 mph winds in the 70-degree afternoon.
“I looked at the leaderboard a lot today because I was getting irritated,” Woad said. “It didn’t seem like there were that many low scores, so I knew I was still in it. The pins were probably a little bit trickier, so there weren’t as many birdies as yesterday.”
The 22-year-old English player won the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open last year, weeks after clinching the KPMG Women’s Irish Open as an amateur on the Ladies European Tour.
NASA Hataoka, also a member of Lake Nona, had a stroke back with Amy Yang. Hataoka had a 71 and Yang shot 69.
Defending champion A Lim Kim was 6 under after her second 69. Youmin Hwang (67) and Ingrid Lindblad (69) were also 6 under.
Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul and Kelly Korda were 5 under. Thitkul had a 72 and Korda shot 71.
“I think the weather is going to get a little worse, so I’m going to go to the putting green and to the range because I wasn’t coping too well today,” Korda said. “I’m going to sort out some things for the weekend.”
Baseball player Aaron Hicks topped the field.
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