The two best players in the world were the two best players on the course at the CME Group Tour Championship on Friday.

Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul fired a 9-under-par 63 to vault into a three-stroke lead at the LPGA's season finale at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. And Nelly Korda made a charge with an 8-under 64 to move into a tie for fifth, within shouting distance of Thitikul at the midpoint of the tournament.

World No. 1 Thitikul still has a healthy cushion at 14-under 130. Sei Young Kim of South Korea is alone in second at 11 under after shooting 66 on Friday. Japan's Nasa Hataoka (67) and first-round leader Somi Lee of South Korea (70) are tied at 10 under.

And Korda has company at 9 under: Australia's Minjee Lee, Canadian Brooke M. Henderson and Thailand's Pajaree Anannarukarn

See Full Page