Golf: Ko in touch in Melbourne

Lydia Ko remained the near the top of the leaderboard after her second round at the Women's Australian Open. Photo / Getty

Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko has remained the near the top of the leaderboard after her second round at the Women's Australian Open today.

After opening with a four-under 68 yesterday, the world No 4 fired the same again today to take her to eight-under for the tournament and a share of fourth place alongside Sweden's Anna Nordqvist and England's Holly Clyburn.

Whether Ko can challenge for the title this weekend will be the interesting question, as she is three strokes back from leader Caroline Hedwall.

The Swede shot an entertaining seven-under 65 today, which included a hole in one on the par-three 16th as she moved to 11-under for the week.

Hedwall holds a one-stroke lead over Suzann Pettersen of Norway as she continued her strong showing with a four-under 68 today, while Australia amateur Minjee Lee is in third at nine-under for the tournament.

Nordqvist recorded the round of the day with a blistering eight-under 64, which included eight birdies.

Ko's second round included four birdies and fourteen pars as her ultra-consistent nature came to the fore again.