Lydia Ko hit her best form today, shooting a five under par 67 for a total of 139 to rocket up the leaderboard.
Ko’s opening of 72, 67 leaves her in 3rd position heading into the final two rounds.
The 27-year-old New Zealander already has Olympic silver and bronze medals and today played like she was hungry for more.
She had birdies on 2, 3, 6, 9, 10 and 13, but marred her round slightly with a bogey on 18 after landing in the sand.
“I played really well yesterday even though my score wasn’t great. The pins were difficult. So I felt I was playing well, and today I was solid. I didn’t put myself in many awkward positions.
“It’s important on this course to be consistent, especially off the tee. I had a sloppy finish, but otherwise it was a nice round to get under my belt.”
Ko said the Golf National course was more demanding than the courses the previous two Olympics were played on. “It’s so hard and it can get away on you.”
As on the first day, Ko played in the group behind French golf star Celine Boutier, who drew a massive, extremely vocal crowd.
At the halfway point, the Swiss player, Morgane Metraux, leads with a score of 136.