THE COLONY, Texas — Hyo Joo Kim shot a 3-under 68 on Friday in The Ascendant LPGA to take a two-stroke lead over Sofia Garcia into the weekend, with resurgent Lexi Thompson tied for third.

Kim had 4 birdies and a bogey in her morning spherical at Previous American to achieve 10-under 132. The 28-year-old South Korean participant, ranked No. 7 on this planet, additionally had a two-stroke lead Thursday after a gap 64.

“My photographs had been higher than yesterday, however sadly the rating wasn’t pretty much as good,” Kim mentioned. “However I did hit the inexperienced much more, so I’m glad with that.”

Garcia, a former Texas Tech participant from Paraguay, additionally had 4 birdies and a bogey in a 68. She a rookie on the tour.

“You’ve got some holes the place you possibly can undoubtedly go forward and be a bit extra aggressive,” Garcia mentioned. “And there are just a few others that undoubtedly ask you to be affected person, the place you’re form of simply relieved that you simply make the par and transfer on.”

Thompson, set to play subsequent week within the PGA Tour occasion in Las Vegas, had a 65 — the perfect rating of the day — in breezy afternoon situations to hitch Race to CME Globe chief Celine Boutier (67) at 6 underneath. Thompson performed alongside Boutier, a member at OId American.

“It undoubtedly received windier,” Thompson mentioned. “As we made the flip, I’d say there was just a few holes that basically gusted up there. You already know you’re going to get that on this golf course, so actually committing to the strains and enjoying sensible off the tees and enjoying for that bounce-out.”

Thompson gained the final of her 11 LPGA Tour titles in June 2019. After going 3-1 for the US within the Solheim Cup in Spain, she tied for eighth final week in Arkansas for her first high 10 of the 12 months. She’s 114th within the Race to CME Globe.

“It’s undoubtedly gotten loads higher,” Thompson mentioned. “I’ve been working arduous the entire 12 months. It’s simply been a matter of time and placing within the productive work that’s wanted, and to see it repay really means loads.”

Kim is also making an attempt to finish a victory drought. The five-time LPGA Tour winner has two runner-up finishes and 6 different high 10s this season with out profitable.

“I used to be on the high of the leaderboard couple occasions this season, however weekend performs haven’t been pretty much as good,” Kim mentioned.

Boutier is tied with Lilia Vu for the tour victory lead, profitable the foremost Evian Championship at residence in France and taking the Girls’s Scottish Open the next week. The previous Duke participant is making her first begin since serving to Europe retain the Solheim Cup.

“You need to be an excellent ball-striker out right here,” Boutier mentioned. “I really feel like particularly when the wind begins to choose up like it’s proper now, you undoubtedly need to be sensible about your technique.”

Fellow European Solheim Cup participant Leona Maguire (67) was 5 underneath with Marina Alex (70), Maria Torres (68) and Azahara Munoz (71).

Defending champion Charley Hull, one other European Solheim Cup participant, had a 69 to get to 1 underneath.