Kim, Ariya share lead at Lotte Championship

OAHU, United States: South Korea’s Kim In-Kyung vaulted into a share of the lead with a sizzling eight-under 64 in Thursday’s second round of the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship.

Kim rolled in nine birdies on Thursday and had just one bogey as she rocketed from a tie for 48th after the first round to become the co-leader with Thailand star Ariya Jutanugarn when play was suspended for the day.

She said strong putting enabled her to reach a nine-under 135 total, which moved her into a tie with Ariya, who fired a six-under 66.

For the second straight day, rain showers at the Ko Olina Golf Club caused a lengthy delay before play was suspended with 15 players still on the course.

Jang Su-Yeon was also at nine under through 16 holes when the horn sounded.

Canada’s Alena Sharp, South Korea’s Lee Mi-Hyang and Stacy Lewis of the US are one shot back of the co-leaders at eight-under 136.