Kim Hyo-joo, the world's eighth-ranked golfer and highest-ranked among Korean women, doubled her lead from 2 strokes to 4 strokes over the second-place competitor. Choi Hye-jin, the top earner among winless players, and surging Lim Jin-hee also maintained their position in the lead group, tied for third place. Korean women's golf remains solid and dominant at the Fortinet Founders Cup, the LPGA Tour's first full-field event of the season.
In the second round held on March 20 (local time) at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club (par 72) in Menlo Park, California, Kim carded 4 birdies and 2 bogeys for a 2-under-par 70, extending her solo lead to 11-under-par 133.
In second place is Gaby Lopez of Mexico, who shot 2-under for the day. She trails Kim by 4 strokes at 7-under-par 137. Choi Hye-jin, who also shot 2-under, and Lim Jin-hee, who posted an even-par 72, are tied for third at 6-under-par 138, challenging for the title.
However, the tension has shifted considerably compared to the first round. World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand and world No. 2 Nelly Korda of the United States, who struggled on the opening day, surged into contention.
Thitikul, who shot 6-under, and Korda, who shot 4-under, joined the tied-for-third group, tightening the chase for the lead. Australian-Korean Minjee Lee, who shot 2-under, is also part of the third-place group.
Yoo Hae-ran (2-under for the day), Jeon In-ji (1-under), and Lee Dong-eun (3-over) are tied for 17th at 4-under-par 140, aiming for a top-10 finish. Lee Jeong-eun6, who entered through Monday qualifying, recorded a tie for 31st at 3-under-par 141 alongside Kim A-rim. Kim Sei-young and Yun I-na made the cut tied for 56th at even-par 144, along with New Zealand-Korean Lydia Ko.