SEI YOUNG GROWS LEAD TO FOUR, LIU GOES LOW AND MORE AT THORNBERRY CREEK

Sei Young Kim Chips Up at Thornberry Creek

Photo Credit: GABRIEL ROUX

Sei Young Kim made four straight birdies and got in the red on six of her first seven holes en route to a 7-under, 65 to lead the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic into the weekend. Kim is 16-under through 36 holes with 18 total birdies made. She leads by four shots over Yu Liu. 

The 16-under two-day total is tied for the lowest on the LPGA Tour this year. Jessica Korda was also 16-under after two days at the Honda LPGA Thailand in February. 

After the hot start, Kim stubbled a bit late on her front nine with a double bogey on hole 17, but held up steady after the mistake with three straight pars. She began to separate from the field with birdies on holes three and four to get to 15-under. She then made another birdie on six to get to 16-under and made three pars coming in. 

Kim, a six-time LPGA winner, is searching for her first win of the season. 

The 25-year-old has been deadly accurate with her approach shots, hitting 34 of 36 greens in regulation and has been solid with the putter as well. She attempted 28 putts on Thursday and 27 on Friday. 

Liu, who turned in a 9-under, 63, is in second at 12-under and there are five players in a tie for third at 11-under including major champion In Gee Chun and defending champion Katherine Kirk. 

The cut was made at 4-under, one of the lowest in the history of the LPGA. The record is 5-under, set last year at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup. 

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