SYLVANIA, Ohio (AP) Hyo Joo Kim bogeyed her final hole Thursday for a 5-under 66 and a share of the Marathon Classic lead with fellow South Korean player Mirim Lee and Japan's Haru Nomura.
Celebrating her 21st birthday, Kim had four birdies in a six-hole stretch on her second nine at Highland Meadows. She won the season-opening event in the Bahamas for her third career title.
Nomura won the Women's Australian Open in February for her first LPGA Tour title and took the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic in April in California.
Ariya Jutanugarn, the long-hitting Thai player who won three straight events in May, was a stroke back at 67 along with American Kelly Shon and France's Celine Herbin. Top-ranked Lydia Ko birdied her final two holes to join second-ranked Brooke Henderson at 68.
