Schmelzel claims share of lead at Women's PGA Championship as Korda misses cut again

Sarah Schmelzel, who has never won an LPGA event nor finished in the top 10 at a major, shares the lead midway through the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in Sammamish, Wash.

The 30-year-old Phoenix native shot a 5-under-par 67 on Friday at Sahalee Country Club to move to 6-under 138, leaving her atop the leaderboard alongside South Korea's Amy Yang, who carded a second-round 68.

Brooke Henderson, of Smiths Falls, Ont., who won the Women's PGA the previous time it was played at Sahalee in 2016, shot 72 and was 1 over through 36 holes.

First-round leader Lexi Thompson (72 on Friday), South Korea's Jin Young Ko (68) and Jaspan's Hinako Shibuno (70) are tied for third place at 4 under.

Ireland's Leona Maguire (71), Japan's Miyu Yamashita (70) and South Korea's Haeran Ryu (67) share sixth place at 3 under.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who was one shot off the lead after the opening round, posted a career-worst 6-over 81 on Friday and missed the cut by one stroke.

It was her third consecutive missed cut at the Women's PGA Championship and her second consecutive missed cut in a major after she came up short at the U.S. Women's Open in Lancaster, Pa., earlier this month.

Schmelzel logged six birdies, including two at Nos. 17 and 18, and just one bogey, at the par-3 13th hole, on Friday.

"Just staying really patient out there," Schmelzel said. "Staying aggressive off the tees is kind of our game plan this week. I drove it really well, so fortunately I was able to take advantage of having some shorter irons in today.

Yang closed her bogey-free round with a birdie at the par-5 18th hole.

"My back had been bothering me last few days, but I was still striking the ball really well like [Thursday], and so I thought it would be fine," Yang