PATTAYA: Jessica Korda put on a spectacular show at the Siam Country Club on Friday to open a commanding four-stroke lead on the second day of the Honda LPGA Thailand Open.
The 24-year-old American, making her 2018 debut on the LPGA Tour after offseason jaw surgery, had eight birdies and a closing eagle to post a personal best and a course record 10-under-par 62. Her two-day score of 16-under breaks the 36-hole tournament scoring record.
Korda's closest pursuers, compatriots Brittany Lincicome and 2016 winner Lexi Thompson, are four shots back at 12 under par.
Minjee Lee of Australia is 11 under, followed by a group that includes Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn, Brooke Henderson of Canada and Michelle Wie of the US at 9 under. Defending Champion Amy Yang of South Korea is at 8 under.
Ariya Jutanugarn was 3 under on the day and is 7 under for the tournament, a stroke ahead of veteran Pornanong Phatlum of Chaiyaphum, who shot a second-straight 69.
Among the other Thai competitors, Supamas Sangchan shot an impressive 69 on Friday but after an 82 on the opening day she was 7 over par. Benyapa Niphatsophon shot a 76 and was also 7 over.
Korda expressed delight with her round on Friday.
“I struggle on this course every year, but this year I have a whole new outlook with everything I’m doing,” said the daughter of former tennis great Petr Korda. “It’s awesome. I was just trying to give myself a chance. It was pretty cool, a pretty cool round.”
Korda, who has 27 screws holding together her jaw, has dealt with a lot over the last year, but is in a position to chase her first win on the tour since 2015, when she won the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
“Basically, I had double jaw surgery. I have a couple of screws in my face. I still can’t feel anything. No pain at all on the course, just numb. The headaches are gone.”
Thompson made a flurry of birdies during the middle of her second round to stay close. Lincicome also had a satisfying day.
“It was great out there, me Jess (Korda) and Brooke (Henderson) were doing well and feeding off each other,” said Lincicome. “It’s nice to see the ball going straight and the ball going in since it’s only my second event of the year.”