Saigo grabs 3-shot edge but Korda and Kim lurk

Mao Saigo took aim at a second straight major title on Friday, firing a six-under-par 66 to grab a three-shot lead over a group including top-ranked Nelly Korda after two rounds of the US Women's Open in Wisconsin.

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Japan's Saigo, who won a five-way playoff to lift her first major trophy at the Chevron Championship, shrugged off a spectacular piece of bad luck to build a 36-hole total of 136 at Erin Hills.

Korda posted a five-under-par 67 to headline a group of six players on 139.

Former champion Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand shot a three-under 69 to end the second round in tied 12th place on 141, five off the pace. She had five birdies and two bogeys.

"Overall it was a good round although some short putts I made could have been better," said the 29-year-old Ariya, the 2018 champion.

Saigo, 23, last year's LPGA Rookie of the Year, said her victory at the Chevron in April had given her new confidence but hadn't changed her fundamental approach.

"I think that I was able to be more confident about my judgements that I make," she said. "However, I would like to play my play rather than thinking about changing myself."