Sei Young Kim, Danielle Kang move to Women's PGA leaderboard

Sei Young Kim of South Korea and Danielle Kang moved to the top of a crowded leaderboard at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship on Friday in Olympia Fields, Ill.

Kim and Kang posted identical 5-under-par 66s in the second round to for second straight day for a 36-hole total of 7-under 135 and a one-shot lead over a sizable contingent.

The group at 136 included Brittany Lincicome, Jodi Ewart Shadoff of England and South Koreans Mi Hyang Lee, Chella Choi and Amy Yang. Lincicome and Shadoff each shot 66, Lee a 67, Choi a 70 and Yang a 71.

Choi and Yang led after the opening round on the North Course at Olympia Fields Country Club. The KPMG is one of three majors for the women in the next six weeks.

Another shot back are So Yeon Ryu, the No. 1 player in the Rolex Women's Ranking, and Moriya Jutanugarn, the other sister of Ariya Jutanugarn. Each shot a 66 on Friday.

Also in that group is Canadian Brooke Henderson, who won the Women's PGA last year.

Also lurking at 4-under 138 is former No. 1-ranked player Lydia Ko, Michelle Wie and Lexi Thompson. Ko shot a 68, Thompson a 69 and Wie a 70 in the second round.

Kim turned in a solid round with six birdies and one bogey.

"Fortunately, when I tee off, (it was) a little less windy (than Thursday)," Kim said. "So, I was able to play to the pin, attack the pin. So, I made a lot of opportunities for the birdie chance."

Kang played bogey-free golf while registering five birdies. She has yet to make bogey through 36 holes.

"So, I'm pretty happy," said Kang, a two-time U.S. Women's Amateur champion. "I kept sticking to the iron shots that I trusted all my life, and giving myself opportunities is what we've been doing."

Yang was 2 over for the round after bogeys at No. 3 and 12 before closing with birdies on No. 16 and 18 for a par 71.

Choi moved to 8 under with birdies on two of the first two holes but bogeyed three of the last five holes on the front side and closed out the round with a birdie on No. 18.

"I wasn't hitting as solid as yesterday," Yang said. "But I stayed patient out there."

Kelly Shon had the low round of the day with a 63 after opening with a 77 on Thursday.

Stacy Lewis, Ariya Jutanugarn and Cristie Kerr were among the players who missed the cut.