Strong start sends Madelene Sagstrom into 3-way tie in Thailand

Madelene Sagstrom and Patty Tavatanakit each shot a 5-under-par 67 on Friday to move into a three-way tie for first place after the second round of the Honda LPGA Thailand in Chonburi.

Sagstrom and Tavatanakit joined former Women's PGA Championship winner Sei Young Kim (68 on Friday) atop the leaderboard at 10-under amid steamy conditions on the Siam Country Club Old Course.

Sagstrom, of Sweden, got off to a sizzling start. She answered a birdie on the first hole with a bogey on No. 3 before bouncing back with birdies on Nos. 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10. She parred her way through the final eight holes.

"I think I got really tired," Sagstrom of her back-nine battle. "I was just trying to hold on for dear life. Not necessarily. There are some tricky pins out there, but the heat should get to all of us. I think it's just trying to really stay in it. I felt like, OK, focus now. You're about to really fall apart if you don't do anything good. I'm happy that I kept it together in the end. Obviously would've liked another two birdies in the back nine, but I started so solid so I can't complain."

Like Sagstrom, Thailand's Tavatanakit collected six birdies against one bogey on Friday as she continues her strong play on the heels of capturing the Ladies European Tour at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

"I feel a little bit more fatigue coming off a strong play last week. Used a lot of the adrenaline back there. It's only Friday and it's really hot and my body feels like it needs a lot of rest, so I'm going to go ahead and do that," Tavatanakit said. "I am sure the golf will just take care of itself."

Kim, who won the 2020 Women's PGA title, recorded an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys on Friday.

Switzerland's Albane Valenzuela (65), Thailand's Jaravee Boonchant (67) and South Korean Hyo Joo Kim (68) reside one stroke in back of the leaders at 9-under for the tournament.

First-round leader Peiyun Chien carded a 72 on Friday to join Germany's Esther Henseleit (68) and Japan's Ayaka Furue (69) at 8-under for the tournament. Past Honda LPGA Thailand champion Ariya Jutanugarn shot a 65 on Friday to lead seven players at 7-under, including two-time major champion Brooke Henderson (70) of Canada and six-time LPGA Tour winner Danielle Kang (68).

Defending champion Lilia Vu finished with a 67 on Friday to reside at 4-under, six strokes behind the leaders.