Ko Ji-woo leads the tournament for the second consecutive day. [Photo=KLPGA]
Ko Ji-woo leads the tournament for the second consecutive day. [Photo=KLPGA]

Ko Ji-woo, known for her birdie barrages, has taken a two-stroke lead at the KLPGA Tour's HaiOne Resort Women's Open, which carries a purse of 1 billion won ($665,000).

Ko fired seven birdies against one bogey Friday for a 6-under 67 at HaiOne Country Club (par 73) in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, moving to 15-under 131 for the tournament and opening a two-stroke advantage over Seong Yu-jin in second place. Leading for the second consecutive day, Ko is now chasing a title she last won in 2024, two years ago.

"My putting followed my rhythm, similar to yesterday, and that helped me keep a good score," Ko said after the round. "Right now I'm playing relaxed golf without any greed. My biggest goal for the remaining rounds is to hold onto this mindset all the way to the end."

Seong Yu-jin climbed into sole second place with a bogey-free 6-under round that included one eagle and four birdies. Seong reached the green in two on the par-5 18th hole and drained a 2-meter eagle putt to pull within two strokes of the leader.

Rookie Yang Hyo-jin carded a 6-under 67 — highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 1st hole followed by four birdies — to reach 12-under 134 and share third place with Jeon Ye-seong and Kim Min-ju. Yang drove the green on the 1st hole off the tee and converted a 5.6-meter eagle putt.

Kim Min-sol, chasing her fourth win of the season, posted a bogey-free round with five birdies to sit at 6-under 140, tied for 24th alongside Park Hyun-kyung and Park Hye-jun, among others.

Defending champion Bang Shin-sil managed only a 1-under round and sits tied for 57th at 3-under 143.


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