Top-ranked New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko finished second after two rounds of stroke play qualifying at the US women's amateur championship in Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday (NZT).
Ko, 15, shot a six under par 66 to lead after round one, but slipped back in the second round with a one-under 71 on the 5954m, par-72 William Flynn-designed layout.
Korean Hyo-Joo Kim's consistency, with two rounds of 68, gave her top billing on 136, with Ko trailing by just one stroke. Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand and American Allison Lee are tied for third on 139.
The competition now moves into match play, with Ko scheduled to meet 63rd-ranked US golfer Amy Beth Simanton in the opening round of 64 on Thursday (NZT).
Ko has been in good recent form, finishing leading amateur at the US Open at Blackwolf Run in Wisconsin last month.
She is keen to improve on her showing at last year's US women's amateur, when she lost 3 and 2 to Hawaiian Stephanie Kono in the second round after winning the strokeplay section of the tournament.
NZN