Lydia Ko has closed to within one shot of the lead in the first women's major golf tournament of the year after firing a second-round four-under-par 68 in California.
The world No.1 moved to six-under at the mid-way stage of the ANA Inspiration and in a tie for third behind the top pair of American Lexi Thompson and Japan's Ai Miyazato.
Thompson, the 2014 champion, was the clubhouse leader early on day two after carding a 68.
Miyazato, the overnight co-leader, joined her when she birdied her last hole for a 70.
Ko had started the day sitting three shots off the pace and in a tie for 14th.
Beginning on the 10th tee at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, she had an eagle three on her second hole only to drop a shot two holes later.
But three birdies over the second half of her round, including on her last hole, the par-five ninth, put her right in contention ahead of the weekend.
The 18-year-old New Zealander had come into the $US2.6 million ($NZ3.8m) tournament fresh from victory in the Kia Classic in California.
She is looking for the second major title of her career after winning the Evian Championship in France last September, when she became the youngest female golfer to be crowned a major champion.
Share
