Ina Yoon extended her lead at the Women's PGA Championship on Friday, carding a 3-under 69 at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
The 23-year-old South Korean reached a 12-under total, pulling five strokes ahead of her closest competitors.
Yoon became just the fourth player in tournament history to hold a lead of five or more shots after 36 holes.
Reflecting on her position, Yoon acknowledged the psychological challenges of leading a major as the weekend approaches.
"The remaining two days will obviously be nerve-racking, but being nervous is human nature, and I think I want to embrace that and focus on what I can in my shots," said Yoon.
Yoon previously tied for fourth at The Chevron Championship earlier this season, an experience she credits with helping her manage pressure.
"In a major, it was my best finish.
Although I wasn't close to winning, being top 10 at major is obviously very nerve-wracking and keeping my calm wasn't easy.
From Chevron, what I learned I think I'm taking that for this week," said Yoon.
Yoon expressed comfort with the conditions and layout at Hazeltine, which has seen lower-than-average scoring due to calm weather.
"I think I like this kind of grass, and the course fit my eye as well," said Yoon.
A four-way tie for second place at 7-under features Nasa Hataoka, A Lim Kim, Hae Ran Ryu, and Brooke Henderson, who closed her second round with three consecutive birdies for a 68.
Henderson, who won this event in 2016, expressed optimism about chasing down the leader.
"It's halfway done.
She had a great first half, so hopefully I can just have a great second half to try to make up the difference," said Henderson.
World number one Nelly Korda shot a 4-under 68 to move into a tie for sixth place at 6-under alongside Dongeun Lee, keeping herself in contention for a third consecutive major title this year.
Korda acknowledged that maintaining a significant lead at a major brings its own difficulties.
"It is hard to have a big lead going into the weekend.
I was there at Chevron, and you do feel a little bit more pressure, like everyone is hunting you down.
I'm just going to focus on, as boring as it is, one shot at a time and see where that takes me," said Korda.
With shifting weather conditions expected, Korda anticipated a tougher test ahead.
"I know the wind will be higher this weekend, so it's going to play probably a little bit more difficult, and I'm sure that the pins will be tricked up," said Korda.
