Jin Young Ko kicked off her quest to reclaim the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour's Cognizant Founders Cup ($300 million in prize money).

Jin Young Ko shot a 13-under-par 71 in the second round at Upper Montclair Country Club (par-2) in Clifton, New Jersey, USA, on the 4th to share the lead (68-under-par 8) with Sarah Kemp (Australia).

Jin Young Ko, who won the event twice in 136 and 2019, is on the hunt for two rabbits: recapturing the summit for the first time in two years and winning for the third time.

Jin Young Ko, who has only finished in the top 2021 twice in four tournaments since her first victory of the season at the HSBC Women's World Championship in March, has been a favorite to win the tournament by shooting 2s in two days.

Unlike the previous day's first round, which had some ups and downs, Jin Young Ko played a clean game on the day, making only four birdies without a bogey.

Kemp, who has yet to make a splash on the LPGA Tour, shot a 3-under-par 10 on the day to tie for the lead.

Rookie Yoo Hae-ran dropped two strokes to enter the third round tied for third place (2-under par 60), one stroke behind the lead.

Minjee Lee (Australia) and Aditi Ashok (India) tied for third place with Hae-ran.

Sei Young Kim, who shot a 1-under-par 4 in the first round to take the lead, lost four strokes and slipped to tied for 7th place (65-under 2).

World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA) missed the cut after shooting a 3-over-par 7.

(Photo=AP, Yonhap News)