Kim Kaufman shot 5-under-par 67 and took a one-stroke lead over Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea when the second round of the rain-delayed JTBC Founders Cup wrapped up on Saturday morning at Marriott’s Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix.
The third round began almost immediately, as tournament officials tried to catch up after being behind since the first round was delayed by four hours on Thursday morning after heavy overnight rain.
Kaufman, a 23-year-old second-year player on the LPGA Tour from Texas Tech, followed an opening 66 by making six birdies, including one on the final hole to grab the outright lead.
Kim was alone in second after making three birdies in the last six holes to shoot 69.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand posted a 69 and was two shots behind in a tie for third with Stacy Lewis, who followed her opening 64 with a 71, Austin Ernst, who had a 67, Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, who came in at 66, and Sei Young Kim of South Korea, who also carded a 66.
Michelle Wie, who has been fighting illness early this season, sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to complete a 69 and make the cut right on the number.
