Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko has continued her rich vein of form to card a nine-under 63 in her second round, sitting two shots back of the leader in Hawaii.
Ko is coming off an impressive second-place finish at the year's first Major - the ANA Inspiration - shot a five-under 67 in her opening round of the latest stop on the LPGA tour.
Starting on the back nine and in a share of seventh place, Ko was a walking highlight machine on the second day. The Kiwi came out firing to birdie the opening two holes, before picking up two consecutive pars.
On the par-five 14th, a beautiful iron shot landed inches short of the hole to snatch a share of the lead, before grabbing it outright two holes later with a birdie.
Ko finished her front nine with three birdies in four holes to see her make the turn at 10-under for the tournament.
The 23-year-old is chasing her first title since April 2018, when she won the Mediheal Championship and continued her sublime form into the back nine, where she birdied the opening two holes to extend her lead.
After three straight pars, Ko grabbed her eighth birdie of the day on the par-four sixth. Another picture-perfect iron shot that again landed just short of the cup saw her open up a three-shot lead.
The Kiwi finished her round in style with another birdie on the par-four ninth to see her claim the best round of the day.
The key to Ko's round was her accuracy off the tee, hitting 12/14 fairways, and on the green, needing only 24 puts for the round.
She was also consistent with her approach play, hitting 15/18 greens in regulation to produce great opportunities, which she pounced on.
Ko sits two shots behind leader Yuka Saso at 16 under, after the Phillipino shot a second round eight under to sneak ahead of the Kiwi into first place heading into the third round.
