Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark used a hot start to her second round to post a five-under 65 and take over the lead at The Annika at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.Pedersen's 12-under 128 broke the tournament 36-hole scoring record by one shot.
She was one off the pace to start the day but now sits two strokes ahead of Japan's Minami Katsu, who posted a 67. Thailand's Jasmine Suwannapura shot 65 and moved into third at 9 under.Leona Maguire dropped to a share of 45th after a one-over 71.
The Cavan woman is 10 shots behind Pedersen on -2 after a round that featured two birdies and three bogeys.World No 4 Jin Young Ko of South Korea had a 69 and is tied for fourth at eight under with Lindy Duncan (65), France's Perrine Delacour (65), Wichanee Meechai of Thailand (66), Gaby Lopez of Mexico (67) and Muni He of China (67).Two-time defending champion Nelly Korda is at five under after a 68.
Canada's Brooke Henderson, who fired a 62 on Thursday to take the lead, plummeted to three under thanks to a 75 that included four bogeys and two double bogeys.Notables to miss the cut at 1-under par included Stacy Lewis and Celine Boutier of France, both at even par.