Madelene Sagstrom and Patty Tavatanakit have each shot a five-under-par 67 to move into a three-way tie for first place after the second round of the Honda LPGA Thailand in Chonburi.
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Sagstrom and the in-form Tavatanakit joined former Women's PGA Championship winner Sei Young Kim, who fired a 68, atop the leaderboard at 10-under amid steamy conditions on the Siam Country Club Old Course on Friday.
Sagstrom, of Sweden, got off to a sizzling start. She answered a birdie on the first hole with a bogey on No.3 before bouncing back with birdies on the 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th and 10th holes. She parred her way through the final eight holes.
"I think I got really tired," Sagstrom of her back-nine battle.
"I was just trying to hold on for dear life. There are some tricky pins out there, but the heat should get to all of us. I think it's just trying to really stay in it. I felt like, 'OK, focus now, you're about to really fall apart if you don't do anything good'.
"I'm happy that I kept it together in the end. Obviously would've liked another two birdies in the back nine, but I started so solid so I can't complain."
Like Sagstrom, Thailand's Tavatanakit collected six birdies against one bogey on Friday as she continued her fine form after capturing the Saudi Ladies International title on the Ladies European Tour.
"I feel a little bit more fatigue coming off a strong play last week. Used a lot of the adrenaline back there. It's only Friday and it's really hot and my body feels like it needs a lot of rest, so I'm going to go ahead and do that," Tavatanakit said.
"I am sure the golf will just take care of itself."
Kim, who won the 2020 Women's PGA title, recorded an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys on Friday.
Switzerland's Albane Valenzuela (65), Thailand's Jaravee Boonchant (67) and South Korean Hyo Joo Kim (68) are one stroke back of the leaders at nine under.
Defending champion Lilia Vu finished with a 67 to finish at four under, six strokes behind the leaders.
Grace Kim is the leading Australian, tied for 24th place on five under after a second-round 70, with Steph Kyriacou (70) and Hannah Green (72) both in joint-42nd place on three under.
Australian Associated Press
