Golf: Ko fires strong second round

Lydia Ko sits second after two rounds of the JTBC Founders Cup in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo / Getty

Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko has enjoyed a bumper back nine to sign for a six-under 66 in her second round at the JTBC Founders Cup in Phoenix on the LPGA Tour today.

Ko, who shot a five-under 67 during her opening round yesterday, is in outright second, two shots back from leader Mirim Lee.

The North Shore 16-year-old made the turn at even par after a birdie and a bogey on the front nine but got hot down the stretch as she made four birdies and an eagle during her final nine holes.

Ko has enjoyed a solid start to her first full year as a professional but is yet to register a tournament victory in 2014 with her best result being a second-placed effort at the New Zealand Open at Clearwater in February.

Meanwhile, on the men's PGA Tour, Kiwis Danny Lee and Tim Wilkinson both made the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

Lee shot an even-par 72 during his second round today with four birdies and as many bogeys to sit in a tie for 39th at one-under for the tournament.

Wilkinson faded slightly during his second round with a two-over 74 but managed to sneak inside the cut line in a share of 57th at one-over for the week.

Both Kiwi players are way back from runaway leader Adam Scott who is at 14-under for the tournament, seven strokes ahead of his nearest rivals.

On the Web.com Tour, Hamilton's Steven Alker made the cut at the Panama Claro Championship after he carded a one-under 69 in his second round to sit at two-under for the tournament in a tie for 22nd.

Australian Aaron Price and American Scott Parel lead the event at six-under.