Kim Posts 65 to Take 36-Hole Lead in ANA Inspiration


South Korea's Sei Young Kim fired a 7-under 65 to take the midpoint lead at the ANA Inspiration. The first major on the LPGA Tour's calendar started Thursday on the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

After opening with an even-par 72, the 22-year-old Kim carded six birdies, an eagle on the par-5 18th and a lone bogey to reach 7-under 137, two strokes ahead of 18-hole leader Morgan Pressel, who shot 72.

The $2.5 million ANA Inspiration is the new name of the LPGA Tour's first major of the year. The former Kraft Nabisco Championship was renamed after the American food giant ended its sponsorship in 2014 and All Nippon Airways of Japan stepped in as the new sponsor through, at least, 2019. Other than the new name, the event maintains tradition by using the same venue since its 1972 inception and the champion will still jump into Poppie's Pond beside the 18th green after Sunday's final round.

After starting with a spotless five-birdie outing, 26-year-old Pressel - whose first of her two LPGA titles came in the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship - could only manage three birdies and a like number of bogeys Friday. "It was a little sloppy all around," Pressel told Golf Channel.

"My swing wasn't quite as sharp as it was yesterday, and I kind of made some sloppy bogeys and some really good pars."

Tied for third at 140 are American Brittany Lincicome (68), South Korea's Jenny Shin (69) and Scotland's Catriona Matthew (69).

Defending champion Lexi Thompson was in good shape after posting four birdies through 17 holes. But the 20-year-old from Coral Springs, Fla., found the water fronting the green with her approach at the par-5 18th and missed a 4-foot par putt for bogey and a 69.

Thompson shares sixth at 141 fellow Americans, No. 3-ranked Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford, who also shot 69s, Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn (70), China's Shanshan Feng (70) and South Koreans Mirim Lee (70) and So Yeon Ryu (72).

After tying Annika Sorenstam's all-time mark of 29 straight under-par rounds with a 71 Thursday, No. 1-ranked Lydia Ko finally showed she's human. The 17-year-old New Zealander carded a 1-over 73 to break her streak and will enter the last two rounds at even-par 144.

In good shape at the end of Thursday thanks to an opening 69, 54-year-old Juli Inkster ballooned to a 75. But the World Golf Hall of Fame member and two-time winner of the tournament will play over the weekend.

The 36-hole cut was set at 3-over 147.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/ana-inspiration/leaderboard.