Leona Maguire set a new tournament record as she shot a round of 62 to take the lead at the Pelican Championship in Florida on Thursday.
The Cavan golfer carded eight birdies in a bogey-free round at the LPGA Tour event to move two strokes clear of Sei Young Kim of South Korea.
Speaking afterwards, Maguire said: “It was pretty stress-free. I played the par 3s really well, birdied all of them which really helped. It was just really, really solid.
"Hit a lot of greens, gave myself a lot of chances, and pulled some nice putts.
"My coach Shane [O'Grady, coach] with me also this week, he hasn’t been out [in the US] in two years so it’s been nice having here. It’s all just clicking nicely."
When asked what she's learned this year to take into the weekend, the 27-year-old added: "“Just being more comfortable in these sort of pairings.
“Obviously Sei Young and Lexi [Thompson] are two of the best players in the world. Sei Young got off to a hot start. She knows how to play this golf course well.
"So just a case of trying to hang on and ride her momentum a little bit, and Lexi as well. Just believing in myself, playing my own game and doing what I do best.”
Meanwhile, Stephanie Meadow shot a round of 70 as she managed six birdies, three bogeys, and a triple bogey to finish on level par in a tie for 48th.
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