Yuka Saso fired a two-under-par 70 to remain four strokes behind leaders Danielle Kang and Lydia Ko after two rounds in the Gainbridge LPGA at the Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Florida on Friday.
The reigning US Women’s Open champion carded four birdies against bogeys on the par-4 fourth and 18th holes for a two-round aggregate of 137.
She had a first-round 67.
The Fil-Japanese tied with Jodi Ewart Shadoff, who propelled from outside the Top 10 after shooting a bogey-free 69.
Kang caught up with Ko on top of the leaderboard after a 4-under-68 marred by a bogey on the second against five birdies. She only trailed Ko by two strokes prior to the second round.
Ko, who had an explosive 63 in the first round, managed a 70 on four birdies and two bogeys for a similar 133 total with Kang.
Meanwhile, Bianca Pagdanganan limped home with a 4-over- 76 to miss the cut by three shots.
The 2018 Asian Games gold medalist struggled at the front nine with a bogey 7 on the par-4 ninth hole and double bogey on the second.
She also bogeyed the 17th despite two earlier birdies.
Pagdanganan, who had a first-round 72, finished with a two-round total of 148 for a share of 94th place with five others.